Maharashtra Education Board Launches Inquiry Into Viral Exam Paper Video
The Kolhapur division of the Maharashtra State Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has formally requested the Satara education department to conduct a thorough investigation into a widely circulated social media video. The footage allegedly depicted two Standard VI students from a school in Vidni village, located in Phaltan tehsil, engaging in the evaluation of Standard X Marathi board examination answer sheets.
Preliminary Findings and Ongoing Verification
According to the initial report submitted by a three-member committee from the Satara education department, the children were not actually assessing the answer sheets. Instead, they were reportedly drawing lines on the blank sections of the answer booklets. Despite this preliminary conclusion, the board has decided to escalate the matter by dispatching officials from Kolhapur to conduct an on-site verification.
The verification team will address several unanswered questions, including confirming whether the children involved are indeed Standard VI students as claimed in the video. Additionally, they will investigate whether the teacher shown in the footage had proper authorization to participate in the board paper evaluation process. Official statements from relevant parties are scheduled to be recorded this Friday.
Official Explanation from Board Secretary
Subhash Chougule, the secretary of the Kolhapur division which oversees Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara districts, provided detailed context regarding the incident. "The Marathi examination for Standard X was conducted on February 10. The answer sheets were subsequently dispatched to the teachers assigned for evaluation, a process that typically takes five days for delivery," Chougule explained.
He further clarified, "The preliminary inquiry indicates that the children in the video were drawing red lines on portions of the answer sheet that were left unused by students. These lines serve a specific purpose: to prevent potential cheating. Blank spaces could theoretically be exploited later to add answers if a student were to gain unauthorized access to the sheet after the examination. It is important to note that each answer booklet contains 28 pages, and not every student utilizes all of them."
Video Origin and Additional Evidence Collection
The inquiry has also uncovered that the video was recorded by a non-teaching staff member at the school. This recording was later disseminated widely across social media platforms. The teacher visible in the footage is identified as a Marathi language instructor at the same institution.
"Our investigation team has located closed-circuit television camera footage from the classroom where the incident allegedly occurred. The officials visiting the school will collect and meticulously analyze this CCTV footage to verify the claims made in the viral video," Chougule stated, emphasizing the board's commitment to a comprehensive and evidence-based inquiry.
The Maharashtra State Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board maintains strict protocols for the handling and evaluation of board examination materials. This incident has prompted heightened scrutiny of procedural adherence in remote evaluation centers, with the board reaffirming its dedication to maintaining the integrity and security of the examination process across all districts under its jurisdiction.
