DAMMAM, 19 February 2003 — Students of the International Indian School, Dammam and their parents are indignant over what they see as the school’s apathy over a leaked examination paper.
Students at the school leaked the preliminary chemistry paper for the 12th grade, which, it was later found, they had obtained from their chemistry teacher.
The revelation created an uproar in the Indian community and exposed academic corruption at the school.
The teacher has pleaded not guilty to leaking the paper, saying that students who came to his house for private tuition got access to his computer system and retrieved the examination paper.
Yet parents and students are unconvinced.
Preliminary examinations are crucial for students as they are allowed to appear in the final CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi) examinations on the basis of the marks they receive in them.
Private tuition is strictly forbidden by the school.
“Double action should be taken against the teacher — for leaking the paper and for giving private tuition,” said Muhammad Hashim, the father of a 12th grade student.
Muhammad Farook, the school’s managing committee chairman, admitted the leak was “a serious matter,” and the managing committee has initiated action against the teacher.
“We have conducted an inquiry and are waiting for the school principal’s recommendation for action against him,” he said. The school principal has submitted a separate report on the matter, Farook said. “We are serious about the issue and appropriate action will be taken soon,” he said.