Madhes Province Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh has alleged a major conspiracy to facilitate cheating in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE). Speaking at a press conference, CM Singh stated that since the provincial government’s decisions were not implemented, they decided to withdraw from the examination process.
Addressing the media at the Madhes Bhawan, Singh accused the bureaucracy of non-cooperation in controlling exam leaks before the exams even began. He also claimed that exam center heads and teachers were actively involved in helping students cheat. “We attempted to improve the situation, but the presence of federal government employees in the selection of exam center heads and the disregard of provincial directives by district examination committees is unfortunate and counterproductive,” he said.
Singh further argued that the selection process of center heads, led by the District Administration Officer and the Chief of the Education Development and Coordination Unit, was unacceptable. He stated that the committees followed previous practices, appointing school principals as center heads, prompting the provincial government to exit the exam process.
“We aimed to boost the morale of competent teachers and ensure fair opportunities while preventing external influence in the examination process,” Singh said. “However, the provincial government's decision was ignored under pressure from vested interests. We believe that center heads should be appointed through a lottery system." “
Education and Culture Minister Rani Sharma Tiwari, who was also present at the press conference, expressed dissatisfaction with the examination system, stating that the provincial government could not remain a silent witness to irregularities. “A meeting was called with all eight district exam coordination committees and district officials to implement the lottery-based selection of center heads, but they refused. Instead, they resorted to financial dealings in the appointment process. That is why we are opposing it,” she said.
