No 'Khela Hobe' in Bengal board exams, authorities warn students

After a section of students appearing for the West Bengal board’s class 10 examination wrote a popular political slogan, ‘Khela Hobe’, on their answer papers, authorities have decided to take penal action if it is done in the class 12 exams.

Examiners of the Madhyamik examination for class 10, conducted by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, found that a number of students have written ‘Khela Hobe’ (there will be game), a slogan of the ruling Trinamool Congress, on their answer papers, in the exams conducted last month.

The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE), which organises the Uchcha Madhyamik examination, popularly known as Higher Secondary (HS) exam, for class 12, said that it would take penal action if any candidate writes political messages or drawings on the answer papers.

“Examiners have been instructed not to evaluate such answer papers. Penal action will be taken (against those who will write such matters). A high-powered committee formed by the Council will decide on the quantum of punishment,” WBCHSE President Chiranjib Bhattacharya told PTI.

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“Writing political slogans, campaigns or controversial issues that violate the rules and guidelines of the WBCHSE will invite strict action,” Bhattacharya said.

The HS exams began on April 2 and will continue till April 27.

Educationist Nrisingaprasad Bhaduri welcomed the decision and said, “No ruling party should politicise the education sector and influence impressionable minds.”

(With inputs from Agencies)