DHENKANAL: A 16-year-old tribal boy from Rasol government high school under Hindol sub-division failed to appear in the matriculation examination, which began on Thursday, after he allegedly did not pay the money demanded for issuing his admit card.
However, the school authorities have denied the allegation, stating that no money was sought from any student and that admit cards were distributed properly and free of cost.
The student, Goutam Behera of Rasol Mandia Sahi, alleged that when he went to collect his admit card on Wednesday, school authorities demanded money from him. Unable to arrange the amount, he claimed he was not given the admit card, which prevented him from appearing for the matric examination the following day. He said he was distressed at being unable to sit for the examination despite preparing throughout the year.
Refuting the allegation, the headmaster, Anadi Naik, said admit cards are issued at free of cost at the government high school. He stated that the school is also a nodal centre and that no such complaint had been brought to his notice. Naik added that he had personally supervised the distribution of admit cards to students a day before the examination.
Hindol sub-collector Pravesh Behura said that a preliminary inquiry conducted through the block education officer revealed that the student had not filled up the examination form and was irregular in attendance. “However, an inquiry has been ordered into the incident,” he added.
District education officer Paresh Patra did not respond to repeated calls for comment.