A report was received that a flawed mathematical question was included in the maths question paper during the recently held school HSSC examination. The Board of Education has decided to award marks to those students who attempted to solve the said flawed mathematical question. However, this decision appears questionable. Why should students be penalised for a flawed mathematical question? Even if it is acknowledged that mistakes can occur unintentionally, the marks for the flawed mathematical question are applicable to all students taking the HSSC examination.
Therefore, education boards should refrain from causing any harm while awarding such marks. No one makes a mistake intentionally. So why should the punishment be deliberate? Only an expert can consider this matter and provide a logical judgement. Individuals taking exams simply focus on answering questions; not everyone possesses the ability to identify faults.
What matters is who and when realised that the mathematical question was incorrect. Why didn’t anyone notice earlier that the maths question was flawed? It is evident that nature pardons mistakes resulting from ignorance, as the intention is positive. Therefore, the flawed mathematical question becomes part of the mathematical exam itself. Thus, all students pass it. At the very least, this aspect should be taken into account by awarding marks to all HSSC students affected. This suggestion is made humbly on behalf of parents.
