The scene of cheating at Vidya Niketan in Mahnaar in Vaishali during the Class 10 Board exam in March 2015. (Source: Express photo by Prashant Ravi)
Science topper in Bihar board’s Class XII exam Saurav Srestha could not say what electrons and protons are. Arts topper Ruby Rai pronounced political science as “prodigal” and said the subject has something to do with cooking.
The “expose”, which came when mediapersons met these toppers, has prompted state Education Minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary to order a probe. The results of the toppers would be withheld till the inquiry is over.
Choudhary did not rule out the possible role of education mafia behind undeserving students scoring high marks.
Read: Bihar Board: 14 Class 12 toppers of Arts and Science to reappear for test tomorrow
“We cannot tolerate such things. Those responsible will be punished. We have been able to curb cheating to a large extent, but we need to tighten screws further,” he said.
Bihar School Examination Board chairperson Lalkeshwar Prasad said the toppers would be asked to appear before the board on June 3.
A final decision on their results would be taken after a panel of experts speaks to them and their copies are re-evaluated, he said.
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“We are shocked at the mental faculty of our toppers. We are calling in 14 students and would interview them afresh,” he said.
BJP’s legislature party leader Sushil Kumar Modi said: “Though unfair means in intermediate exams were controlled to a large extent this year, 53.43 pass percentage, interchange of exam papers and sub-standard toppers tell the real story of the state’s education system, which has become a subject of ridicule at the national level.”
