The National Information Commission (NIC) on Wednesday directed the Office of the Controller of Examinations (OCE), Sanothimi, to allow interested School Leaving Certificate (SLC) students to see their answer sheets after the publication of results if they are not satisfied with their marks.
The decision comes in response to the petition filed by a student, Asesh Neupane. He had filed a case on July 18 complaining that he was barred from seeing his answer sheets of SLC examinations in violation of the rights to information.
Acting on Neupane’s application, NIC had sought reason with OCE on July 20 why he had no access to his answer sheets as demanded. The OCE furnished its clarifications which failed to satisfy the NIC, leading to Wednesday’s instruction.
Ambika Regmi, joint-controller at OCE said that his office is yet to receive a letter regarding the NIC directive. The OCE board will take appropriate decision after the letter is received, he said.
Binaya Kasaju, Commissioner at the NIC said, "Showing answer sheets would help to maintain transparency."
Earlier, NIC had issued a directive to Tribhuvan University (TU) allowing concerned students to see their exam answer sheets.
However, challenging the NIC decision, Bhim Raj Adhikari, on behalf of TU had filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court demanding a null and void
of the NIC directive. The SC responded that there was no need to issue an interim order in the case.
On May 18, the SC had ruled that applicant students can see their answer sheets if they are not satisfied with the marks they secured. This ruling inhibits officials from challenging the demands of students to see their answer sheets.
However, no student has been allowed to see his answer sheets till date.
Daya Man Karmacarya, controller of the OCE of TU said that his office has not still received a copy of the SC verdict. Once the letter is received, the OCE would formulate necessary procedure to avail students of their answer sheets, Karmacharya said.
(Source: The Rising Nepal)
