Himachal Class VIII Hindi Paper Error: Out-of-Syllabus Questions Raise Concerns, Students Demand Relief

Shimla – A significant error in the Class VIII Hindi paper of the ongoing annual examination in Himachal Pradesh has left students shocked and confused. Questions worth 14 marks were drawn from chapters that were officially removed from the syllabus, causing distress among the students, many of whom struggled to answer them.

The unexpected inclusion of out-of-syllabus content created a major disruption during the examination, which began on Tuesday amidst the state’s winter vacation. As soon as students emerged from the examination halls, they expressed their concerns about the unanticipated questions that were beyond the scope of their studies.

Teachers and Students Alike Raise Concerns

Teachers, after hearing the complaints from the students, swiftly brought the issue to the attention of the Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh School Education Board, urging them to provide relief to the affected students. Hem Raj Thakur, State President of the Rajkiya Bhashayi Adhyapak Sangh, confirmed that 14 marks worth of questions in the Hindi exam were based on chapters that had been removed from the syllabus. The omission of these chapters was officially communicated to the students at the beginning of the academic year.

A Call for Grace Marks

The incident has led to widespread demands for relief from both educators and parents. Teachers emphasized that the students could not have possibly prepared for the questions related to these chapters, as they were no longer part of the curriculum. The complaints were directed to the Education Board, and the Rajkiya Bhashayi Adhyapak Sangh has called for grace marks to be awarded to students for the questions based on the removed content.

Arjun Singh, General Secretary of the Sangh, along with Meera Sharma, President of the State Women’s Wing, and Narendra Kumar, the founder of the Sangh, have voiced their concerns. They have urged the Education Board to address the issue promptly to ensure fairness to the students. The question numbers in which the removed chapters were included — namely questions four, five, and six — were highlighted as particularly problematic.

Board’s Response and Investigation

In response to the concerns raised, Dr. Vishal Sharma, Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh School Education Board, confirmed that the board had received complaints regarding the inclusion of out-of-syllabus content. Dr. Sharma assured that a formal inquiry would be initiated into the matter. He emphasized that if the investigation substantiates the claims, the board will grant grace marks to the affected students to compensate for the unanticipated questions.

The issue comes at a crucial time, with the final examination results set to be prepared by December 31, intensifying the need for a swift resolution.

Looking Ahead

As the investigation unfolds, the education department faces the challenge of restoring fairness and transparency in the examination process. The Himachal Pradesh School Education Board is expected to take appropriate measures based on the inquiry’s outcome, including potentially adjusting the final marks to accommodate those affected by this error.

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the importance of aligning examinations with the prescribed syllabus and ensuring that students are not penalized for content they have not been taught. For now, the affected students and their teachers await a decision that will hopefully bring justice to those impacted by this exam error.