Circular Directs School Students to Mention Caste in Answer-sheets

Issuing a controversial circular, the district administration in Muzaffarpur has made it compulsory for students appearing in annual examinations of state-run primary and high schools that they mention their caste in answer-sheets, failing which their results will be withheld, media reports said.

The circular was issued by officials of Bihar Education Project (BEP) in Muzaffarpur district.

It said that for an ‘honest assessment’, it would be useful to tabulate the percentage of students belonging to a particular caste appearing in annual examinations from class I to VIII, said reports.

BEP Programme Cordinator-cum-District Education Superintendent Arun Kumar and Primary Informal Education Coordinator Shankar Kumar issued the circular on March 11 through letter no. BEP/247, reports said.

“It will also be essential for invigilators to ensure that students write their castes on answer sheets,” the circular said as per reports.

It further said that the results of those students who failed to follow the circular would be withheld, said reports.

(Based on internet reports)