The West Bengal Madhyamik (Secondary) Board has made a significant decision to address the controversy surrounding the recent Mathematics exam. Following complaints from students and parents about two allegedly out-of-syllabus and overly difficult questions, the board has announced that students will be awarded marks for attempting these questions, regardless of the accuracy of their answers. This move has brought relief to thousands of students who appeared for the exam on Saturday.
The Controversy Explained
The Mathematics exam, held on Saturday, sparked widespread debate after students claimed that two questions were beyond the prescribed syllabus and excessively challenging. The questions in question were:
- Question No. 3 (vi) in the North Bengal region question paper set.
- Question No. 3 (iii) in the Burdwan region question paper set.
- Question No. 3 (iv) in the Medinipur region question paper set.
- Question No. 3 (i) in the Kolkata region question paper set.
Additionally, Question No. 15 (i) across all question paper sets was also flagged as problematic.
Students and educators alleged that these questions were not only difficult but also outside the syllabus, causing unnecessary stress and confusion during the exam.
West Bengal Board’s Decision
In response to the uproar, the West Bengal Madhyamik Board issued a formal notice on Monday, clarifying its stance. While the board maintained that the questions were framed within the syllabus, it acknowledged the concerns raised by students and decided to take a student-friendly approach.
The board announced that students who attempted the controversial questions would be awarded marks, even if their answers were incorrect. The only condition is that students must have written something in response, and the method of solving the problem should be appropriate. This means that students who started solving the questions will receive full marks for their efforts.
Relief for Students
This decision has brought immense relief to students who were worried about losing marks due to the controversial questions. Many students who attempted the problems, despite finding them challenging, are now assured of scoring marks. The board’s decision has been widely appreciated for prioritizing students’ interests and ensuring fairness in evaluation.
Key Takeaways
- The West Bengal Madhyamik Board has resolved the Mathematics exam controversy by awarding marks for attempting the disputed questions.
- Students will receive marks even if their answers are incorrect, as long as they attempted the questions.
- The board maintains that the questions were within the syllabus but took a student-friendly approach to address concerns.
This decision underscores the board’s commitment to supporting students and ensuring a fair evaluation process, even in the face of unexpected challenges.