Students appearing for the Class X board examinations in Chin state, Burma ( Myanmar ) this year were said to have used the small book of answers for all subjects freely in the halls.

“This year invigilation was not very strict. The pass percentage will be good,” a student of Class X told Khonumthung News.

The small book, only three or four inches in size is published in Rangoon ( Yangon ), the capital of Burma ( Myanmar ). And it is sold to class X students for Kyat 3,000 for those in the arts stream and Kyat 5,000 for science subjects.

In Chin state the students used the book blatantly in examination halls. But before they began writing the examination papers, they shelled out Kyat 200 each to class room keepers. The money was handed over to invigilators of the examination. After which the students copied freely.

All of this of course was done secretly behind the back of officials and the superintendent of examinations. A student explained that they are unaware of the relationship between invigilators and the superintendent.

The small book, however, cannot be purchased in Kalay Myo, Sagaing division easily, but it is cheaper in Chin state, where it can be bought for Kyat 1, 000 for arts subjects and Kyat 1,500 for science subjects.

“This book is used in the whole country. There are restrictions in some places, but most can use it,” The class X student said.

The examination was slated for March 14 to 22. But two weeks before the board examination different kinds of book like ‘Taraphyu,’ ‘All Star,’ and ‘Hot-Spot’ were published. But the book was not sold in the city markets. They were supplied secretly to a person who has a nexus with the publishers. Although it is difficult to ascertain students of which cities in Burma used it the most, those in Chin state relied on it totally. Cass X students in Magwe division and Sagaing division, upper Burma ( Myanmar ) also used it, but the percentage of sales was less than in Chin state.

“The pass percentage is always better when the book is used. When the invigilation is strict most are unable to answer and the pass percentage drops,” the student added.

The small book has been in use for class X board examinations since 2001 but after being published the percentage of students’ attending school has decreased. – KNG.