Control of exam papers distribution tightened

JAKARTA (JP): Angered by reports that questions in school examinations had been leaked to students in Sulawesi, Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro has vowed to tighten control of the distribution of exam papers in the future.

Wardiman said over the weekend that such leaks are always possible because the papers are handled by numerous people in different administrative levels before reaching students.

"In the future, supervision will be tightened in every stage, from the question drafting down to distribution in the classroom," he told The Jakarta Post.

He refused to point a finger at who is most responsible for the leaks that happen almost every year in school exams. "The culprits are yet to be identified," he said.

This year, exam questions were reported to have been leaked in North and Central Sulawesi. An investigation into the matter is being handled by the local police.

The scandal has prompted the government to restage examinations in the two provinces. The plan has met strong opposition from students and parents there.

In the North Sulawesi capital of Manado, about 2,000 senior high school students staged several demonstrations to protest the ministry's decision. More than 200 of them have confirmed they won't resit the exam.

The police suspect a local employee of the ministry's local office of leaking the exam papers.

In Central Sulawesi's capital Palu, 15 senior high school students have been investigated by the police in connection with the scandal.

Director General of Basic and Middle Level Education Zainal A. Achmady has theorized that the leak of exam papers has to do with many parents' ego to see their children get good marks.

"These parents are tempted to get the exam papers by any means, including buying them," he said.

Wardiman made the comment after presenting awards to 18 shadow puppet masters, musicians, dancers, choreographers, artists and authors. (31)