Mita Mukherjee

In an attempt to minimize mistakes in evaluation and ensure error-free results, the Bengal state secondary board that conducts the Madhyamik (Class X) examinations has sought explanations from examiners and head-examiners for not following the board’s rules related to assessment of answer scripts.

The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education this year summoned all examiners and head-examiners who made mistakes in evaluating the answer scripts and asked them to explain why they had not followed the rules properly, Ramanuj Ganguly, the board president said.

The marks of nearly 13,000 answer scripts of the 2024 Madhyamik (Class X) examinations that were re-checked in post-publication scrutiny of results this year changed and in most cases the marks had increased. In one case 22 marks have gone up.

This year 1,33,492 answer scripts were re-checked for scrutiny after publication of the 2024 Madhyamik results.

Seeing the volume of result re-check applications and the changes that appeared after checking the results of aggrieved candidates, the board, in addition to seeking explanations from examiners has also decided to find out whether there are any lapses in its existing  evaluation process and take necessary steps to reduce evaluation mistakes permanently, Ganguly said.

“ It is difficult to avoid human errors in any exam that involves such a huge number of answer scripts. All students can never be satisfied with their results. There will be some dissatisfied students. But too many changes appearing in the post publication scrutiny and review results is not desirable. We cannot drastically bring down post publication scrutiny applications. But we will try to ensure that the number of mistakes in evaluation is reduced,” board president Ramanuj Ganguly told EducationWorld.

According to Ganguly, as an immediate measure the board has sought explanations from the examiners and asked them to be careful while checking answer sheets in next year’s exam.

“But this is not a permanent measure . We need to overhaul the evaluation process to ensure minimum mistakes right at the beginning,” Ganguly said.

Punishing examiners and debarring them from examining the answer scripts is not a solution as most teachers are reluctant to be a part of the evaluation process and this will give them an opportunity to stay away from examining answer sheets, the board said.

 Close to 75 lakh answer scripts were evaluated in the 2024 Madhyamik exam and mistakes were detected in nearly 13,000 answer sheets.

“The number of mistakes is low considering the total number of answer scripts. Our target is to minimise errors and maintain full transparency in the examination and evaluation process,” Ganguly said.

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