'Fake' candidates appear at exams in Patuakhali
At least 50 examinees are illegally appearing at the ongoing Secondary School Certificate (SSC-vocational) examinations under Technical Education Board at a centre of Kalapara upzila.
These candidates had failed in the JSC (Junior School Certificate) examinations in 2010 but got admission to class nine next year allegedly in exchange of bribe with the help of a few school schoolteachers and board officials, sources said.
"A one-member probe committee on February 7 submitted a report to me in this regard, revealing truth of the allegation. I have already sent the report to the higher authorities concerned for action," said Md Jahangir Hossain, upazila nirbahi officer of Kalapara.
He, however, declined to tell the number of illegal examinees as per the report.
A few local journalists detected illegal candidates on February 3, the first day of the ongoing SSC examinations, in room number 1 of Khepupara Model School and College centre.
Eighty seven students took part in the JSC examinations from Khepupara Girls High School under Barisal Education Board in 2010 and 35 of them failed, reliable sources said.
But at least 50 students, including eight of the above mentioned 35 students, are taking part illegally in the ongoing SSC examinations from five schools under Technical Education Board.
The institutions are Khepupara Model High School, Lalua Janata High School, Dhankhali Girls' Dakhil Madrasa, Naubhanga Salehia Alim Madrasa and Pajjonia Dhankhali High School -- all in Kalapara upazila.
The students were illegally admitted to class nine in vocational education group under Technical Education Board in 2011-2012 session in exchange of Tk 5,000 to 10,000 per head as a section of dishonest officials of Technical Education Board illegally registered them for class nine, sources said.
Local journalists identified names and roll numbers of al least seven of the illegal candidates in the examination centre.
On condition of anonymity, a few vocational education teachers of the schools concerned said they helped in the illegal act to maintain their salary under the government's monthly payment order (MPO).
There should be at least 15 students in a group for continuation of the MPO, they said, adding that such illegal examinees would be found across the country if proper investigation is made.
Md Anwar Hossain, headmaster of Khepupara Girls High School, also assistant secretary of Khepupara Model School and College centre, said he was not aware of the matter as he was not in the school during the time of admission.
Contacted, Md Nur Elahi, deputy controller of examinations of Technical Education Board in Dhaka, said over phone, "For admission to class nine, a student must have passed JSC or JDC examinations. We will take lawful action after proper investigation if anyone is admitted illegally."
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