Patna: The results for the Intermediate examinations of the Bihar State Education Board (BSEB) had had some far-reaching consequences. It brought the attention of the entire media to the state of education in Bihar.
Not that pictures and visuals of humans scaling walls at exam centres did not make enough of a point, this time around, the noose appears to be tightening around the widespread use of unfair means in these crucial examinations.
So, when toppers in the Science and Arts streams could not tell head from tail in subjects they ‘aced’ during interviews, heads were bound to roll. The Bihar government sprung into action – ordering a retest for the 14 toppers in these streams on Friday.
The test would constitute several elements – interviews by members chosen from the Board and handwriting tests to match whether the students had written the exams themselves or had sought help from ‘outside elements’. Those conducting these tests are a team of hand-picked experts from various streams from the capital’s Magadh University.
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However, at the test that was suppose to begin at 3 PM at the board’s office in the state capital today, only 13 of the 14 toppers turned up. Of the 14 toppers, one was conspicuous with her absence – Ruby Rai, the topper of the Arts stream.
Ruby’s father, in an application to the Board, sought one week’s time for her to appear. He cited health issues, purportedly depression’ as the reason behind her absence. Her father said that Ruby has slipped into depression and was being treated for it.
Notably, in an interview to local journalists, Ruby could not spell out the basics of her subjects. Political Science, a subject she earned a distinction in, taught cooking, she said and social media had a field day.
Another topper – from the Science stream – could not tell what neutrons and protons are. He, however, turned up for the exam.
