7 Majuli teachers arrested over unit test paper 'leak'

Guwahati: Seven teachers, including two principals, were arrested in Majuli district on Monday for their alleged involvement in unit-test question paper leak.

Assam, where several incidents of board-exam paper leak have been reported over the years, has now put the education authorities in a tight spot due to the "question paper leak" in unit tests.

The incident came to light on Sunday evening from two schools in Majuli. Following an FIR lodged by the district inspector of schools, seven teachers from Jengraimukh Higher Secondary School and St Paul's School were apprehended. After interrogation, all the teachers were arrested.

"From the two schools the question paper of the Class X science unit test was leaked much ahead of time, though the exam was scheduled to be held on Jun 25. A total of seven teachers from two different schools in Majuli have been apprehended in connection with unauthorised opening of the sealed packs of question papers," Majuli SP Bibekananda Das told TOI on Monday.

As per police investigation so far, monetary transaction may not be a possibility. Sources said the motive behind leaking the question paper may be to enhance performance of the students to attract more students in future.

"It seems that the teachers thought that better results in unit tests will help them get more students to enrol as the same unit test papers are used across schools in a district. It was an attempt to catch the attention of guardians with good results," an investigating officer said.

The question papers of the unit tests are set at the district level, and the "leak" and cancellation of the exam has impacted hundreds of students.

The question papers were sent directly from the printing press to the schools. Police came to know about the "leak" on Sunday evening around 7 pm when screenshots of the paper went viral.

Police said they have found the opened packets of question papers. Investigation was launched on Sunday evening.

"A new schedule for the remaining papers has been finalised, as the "leak" of question papers has shocked everyone. Only two papers could be completed before the "leak" came to light. There is a serious doubt that other question papers may also have been leaked," said Majuli inspector of schools Lipika Buragohain.