Stung by video on topper, Bihar board orders probe into exam results

Embarrassed by the alleged academic incompetence of its state-level toppers, the Bihar School Examination Board has ordered an investigation into the results as well as the examiners who awarded them high marks.

A television channel on Monday showed an intermediate topper in the arts stream spouting mediocre answers to queries about the subjects she had excelled in. When the student was asked what political science was all about, she said the academic discipline dealt with cookery.

“We are looking into the matter, and an investigation has been ordered. We will check the copies of five toppers of all the streams. If there are any discrepancies, they will be dealt with immediately,” board secretary Hariharnath Jha said.

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This is not the first time doubts have been raised over the competency of students topping the Bihar board examinations. Over five years ago, copies of the answer sheets of meritorious students were posted on its official website after a similar controversy broke out.

In some cases, all the toppers were found to be from the same institution.

The results of intermediate (science) examinations in 2015 also threw up a strange paradox, with all acclaimed institutions bearing the coveted-NAAC grading faring poorly and little-known schools and colleges from interior Bihar holding sway.

Though the examinations were conducted under tight security this time, the overall scenario did not change. “There is no system of re-evaluation. There is every possibility that the answer books will be fine. The problem is whether the student knows enough about the content they have entered in their books,” a board official said.

In fact, the board examination results of certain unaided colleges have seen extraordinary improvement ever since the government linked funding to performance. The institutions are paid Rs 4,000 for every candidate who achieves first division, Rs 3,500 for second division, and Rs 3,000 for third division.

According to sources, the desire for extra funds has spurred the institutions to facilitate open cheating and recruit professional writers to appear on behalf of students at examination halls.