Why Were a Headmaster and Seven Teachers Suspended for Assaulting an Examination Officer in West Bengal?
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Key Takeaways
Kolkata, Feb 5 (NationPress) - The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) took significant action on Thursday by suspending seven educators and a headmaster from a school, following allegations of assaulting an examination officer. This incident unfolded after the officer uncovered a mobile phone within the examination venue while students were taking their tests.
The event transpired during the Madhyamik (Secondary) examination held at Ajhapur School located in the Jamalpur region of East Burdwan district.
The suspension of the teachers came as a result of a report from district officials regarding the incident.
It was reported that during the secondary examination, a mobile phone emitted a sound inside the exam centre. When the school inspector inquired about how the phone managed to enter the premises, he was reportedly assaulted.
As per WBBSE regulations, only specific personnel, including the exam centre secretary and designated supervisors, are permitted to use mobile phones within the examination environment.
On the day of the English examination, the ringing phone raised alarms. Prashant Kabiraj, the examination centre's officer-in-charge, questioned the situation, leading to an alleged attack by seven or eight teachers.
The assaulted school inspector is currently receiving medical attention at a hospital. Following the incident, a district monitoring committee promptly visited the school to conduct an investigation and confiscated the mobile phone.
Amit Kumar Ghosh, the district coordinator assigned by the WBBSE, confirmed that a report regarding the incident has been submitted to the board.
District School Inspector Debabrata Pal stated, "Eight individuals, including the headmaster and a clerk, are now suspended."
Local residents and former students expressed their dismay over the incident. Soumik Dutta, a former student of Ajhapur School, told local media, "This incident in Ajhapur village is profoundly embarrassing. As alumni of this institution, we feel ashamed. How could educators assault an examination officer? There are claims that the CCTV footage of the occurrence has been erased, which raises concerns regarding accountability for the implicated teachers."