Control of exam papers distribution tightened

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)