SEBA Under Fire For Religion-Based Healthcare Question In Class 10 Exam – News18

Last Updated:February 28, 2025, 08:08 IST

SEBA asked Class 10 students to share their opinion on a religion-based healthcare question, leaving the Internet disappointed. Many believe the question could have been framed better.

The Board of Secondary Education, Assam (popularly known as SEBA) has been conducting the High School Leaving Examination (HSLC) 2025 for Class 10 students. While the practical exams began in the latter half of January, the theoretical exams commenced from mid-February. However, one of the questions in the social science exam hasn’t gone down well with netizens.

Question number 57 in this year’s paper asked students to “read the description” and share their opinion on it.

The description presented a hypothetical scenario: “Suppose the government has set up a hospital in a village called Dambuk. The hospital provides free treatment to the Hindus. People of other religions have to bear the cost of treatment themselves. Can government take such measures in a country like India?”

Journalist Afrida Hussain shared a picture of the question paper on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “Is this the kind of education we want for our students? A Class 10 board exam question by SEBA asks whether the government can set up a hospital providing free treatment only to Hindus while others have to pay. Seriously? Why are students being exposed to divisive hypotheticals instead of learning about the equality and secularism protected by our Constitution?”

After going through the question paper, one social media user expressed sheer disbelief, simply writing, “What!?”

Another, too, reacted with one word: “Shame.”

“Education should indeed foster unity, critical thinking, and an understanding of our constitutional values like equality, inclusiveness and secularism…,” said a third.

A fourth shared the question paper and wrote, “Deeply disappointed to see such a divisive question in the #HSLC Social Science exam. If the goal was to test knowledge of constitutional rights, it could have been framed in a more responsible and neutral way.”

“Education should unite, not create differences. Authorities must ensure that such insensitivity doesn’t find a place in our question papers. What are your thoughts?” he added.