Scrutiny Mounts on Evaluation Contract Amidst Widespread Complaints
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) finds itself under a cloud of unanswered questions following a troubled rollout of its new On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for Class 12 examinations. Widespread reports of blurred scanned answer sheets, unchecked portions of exams, and marking errors have plunged the board's digital evaluation process into controversy, prompting a wave of re-evaluation requests and public scrutiny.
Concerns have been amplified by the awarding of the evaluation contract, with questions arising over the criteria and the vetting of the service provider, Coempt Edu Teck. This Hyderabad-based firm, responsible for the OSM system, has also faced prior criticism in an examination-related dispute in Telangana in 2019.
Tender Deviations and Certification Issues
A significant point of contention revolves around the tender for the OSM services. While government contracts typically mandate a 'Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 5' certification for such critical operations, the CBSE tender reportedly lowered this requirement to Level 3.
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Sources indicate that both TCS and Coempt possess CMMI Level 5 certification.
However, details surrounding Coempt's specific certification status and adherence to tender norms remain unclear.
This adjustment in the requirement has fueled speculation about the selection process.
Student and Examiner Grievances
The core of the current crisis lies in the experiences of students and evaluators using the new digital system. The shift to OSM, intended to enhance efficiency and transparency, has instead led to a deluge of complaints.
Students have reported instances where individuals who performed well in competitive entrance exams like the JEE Mains subsequently failed their CBSE board exams.
Conversely, some students noted that entire answers within their scanned scripts were missed by evaluators or inadequately marked.
Examiners themselves have voiced unease regarding the quality of scanned answer sheets, impacting their ability to accurately assess student work.
The CBSE has publicly defended its process, asserting that students can request scanned copies of their answer sheets and apply for re-evaluation. In response to the outcry, the board has adjusted fees and extended deadlines for accessing these scanned copies and initiating the re-evaluation process.
A Pattern of Concerns
This is not the first time Coempt Edu Teck has been linked to examination system issues. The company, which offers a suite of services including pre-examination management, AI-based online testing, and digital evaluation, previously faced criticism in relation to a Telangana examination row back in 2019. The repetition of such issues under its watch, now within the national board examination framework, has intensified the debate surrounding its capabilities and the oversight applied.
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The unfolding situation has left a trail of unresolved queries, from the specifics of the bidding process to the efficacy of the digital marking system itself, all playing out against the backdrop of crucial admission seasons.
