EducationReform – Rahul Gandhi Questions CBSE Re-Evaluation Charges Amid Student Concerns
EducationReform – Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday criticized the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) over its re-evaluation procedures and the fees charged to students seeking corrections in their examination results. Raising concerns about the financial burden on students, he alleged that families are being made to spend money to address mistakes that originate within the evaluation system itself.
Concerns Raised Over Re-Evaluation Expenses
Sharing a video of his interaction with students affected by issues linked to CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, Gandhi argued that students should not have to bear additional costs when discrepancies appear in their answer-sheet assessments.
According to Gandhi, students seeking verification of their marks are required to pay separate charges for obtaining scanned copies of answer sheets, re-totalling marks, and requesting re-evaluation of specific questions. He questioned whether such expenses are justified when students are attempting to verify the accuracy of their examination results.
Questions Over Revenue Generated Through Applications
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed that students may end up spending significant amounts during the re-evaluation process, particularly if multiple subjects are involved. Referring to the large number of applications submitted for review, Gandhi also questioned the scale of revenue generated through these requests.
He suggested that the system places additional pressure on students and parents who are already dealing with the stress associated with board examination outcomes. According to him, the process should focus on ensuring fairness and accuracy rather than creating extra financial obligations.
Allegations Regarding Technical Issues
Gandhi further alleged that technical shortcomings in the evaluation process may be contributing to errors. Referring to reports concerning the digital assessment mechanism, he argued that if flaws exist in the system used to scan and process answer sheets, students should not be responsible for paying to correct those mistakes.
He stated that when institutions make errors, the responsibility for rectifying them should rest with the authorities rather than with students. Gandhi also expressed concern that such situations could affect students’ confidence and academic future, especially when examination results play a crucial role in higher education opportunities.
Complaints From Class 12 Students
The remarks come amid complaints from several Class 12 students who reported discrepancies involving answer sheets made available during the re-evaluation process. Some students alleged that uploaded documents did not correspond to their original submissions, leading to confusion and concern among candidates and their families.
This marks the second consecutive day that Gandhi has publicly highlighted the issue. Earlier, he had accused the central government of not responding adequately to concerns raised by students affected by the controversy surrounding the OSM system.
CBSE Responds to the Issue
In response to the complaints, CBSE has stated that cases involving alleged mismatched answer sheets are being handled on a priority basis. According to government sources, technical experts from IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, and the Digital Infrastructure Corporation of India (DICI) are currently reviewing the system.
The ongoing examination includes assessing the functioning of the portal and strengthening the integration of digital infrastructure and payment systems. Authorities have indicated that corrective measures are being considered to ensure smoother operations and address concerns raised by students.
Further Questions Over Service Providers
Gandhi has also directed criticism toward Coempt, the company associated with CBSE’s On-Screen Marking process. He alleged that the firm, previously known as Globarena, had faced controversy in the past and called for greater scrutiny of systems involved in the evaluation process.
As discussions continue, the issue has sparked a broader debate over transparency, accountability, and the responsibilities of educational institutions in ensuring accurate examination assessments for students across the country.