Maharashtra: Question paper with answers leaked on a YouTube channel, but PAT exam to continue as per schedule
Confirming the paper-leak, director of SCERT Rahul Rekhawar said, “Yes, papers of PAT examination of Class 9 are being shown on some YouTube channels"
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Rekhawar highlighted that SCERT with help from police will investigate how the YouTube channel obtained the question paperAs the state-wide Periodic Assessment Test (PAT) is scheduled to start on Tuesday, question paper of Class 9 Marathi (first language) which is scheduled for April 8 was seen to be available online on April 7, along with answers, on a YouTube channel. The Maharashtra State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT), which conducts PAT, is in the process of registering an FIR against the YouTube channel for the paper-leak.
But SCERT confirmed that the exam will continue as per schedule with the same question paper as it is not feasible now to replace the question papers which have already been reached in schools across the state. Teachers, however, have highlighted that PAT paper leak is not limited to Class 9 Marathi paper as few other PAT papers are also seen available online. According to SCERT, they are now looking for other papers too after knowing about such claims.
Confirming the paper-leak, director of SCERT Rahul Rekhawar said, “Yes, papers of PAT examination of Class 9 are being shown on some YouTube channels. We are registering FIR against them and to close them down with the help of the police department. Examination will not be cancelled.” When asked if a different question paper will now be sent to schools, Rekhawar said that paper cannot be changed now.
Further urging social media users to not indulge in such acts for TRP, Rekhawar highlighted that SCERT with help from police will investigate how the YouTube channel obtained the question paper.
The state-wide PAT exams are conducted for students in classes 1 to 9, with the goal of standardised assessments, particularly in government-run and aided schools. Introduced last year, the exams include common question papers for subjects like English, Mathematics, and Marathi, provided by the Maharashtra SCERT. These papers are conducted as a part of final exams of schools. While students receive regular results from their schools, their performance in these subjects is reported to SCERT, which assesses learning outcomes and recommends interventions where necessary.
The PAT exams are marred with controversy this year. First cause was the common time-table (April 8 to 25) which marked a significant change from established practice of concluding final exams by mid-April. Schools raised alarm citing concerns that it will affect timely results which are typically out by May 1 and then parents start complaining that this change will interfere with their summer plans.
Mahendra Ganpule, former vice president of the Maharashtra School Principals’ Association, said, “The SCERT has failed to maintain any confidentiality around PAT papers. There have been reports that there was discretion during transportation of PAT question papers. It is unfortunate that the evaluation of students on leaked question papers will not help in gauging actual learning outcomes of students, which is the basic purpose of conducting PAT.”
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