In a move that has raised questions and tempers, the Karnataka government had on Monday issued an order to transfer Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB) Director, V Sumangala, three months before the board exams are slated to begin.

Sumangala had only recently been appointed to the post after former Director Yashoda Bopanna retired. The move, however, drew fury and doubts from both parents and board members who are still puzzled over the sudden change. KSEEB staff have opined their disapproval, as have parents and other stakeholders. "Transferring the Director when preparation for the upcoming board exams is going to commence is not a good decision," said an insider on the board. 

Meanwhile, some social workers working with children also wrote to the Primary and Secondary Education Minister about this. A member of the Karnataka Parents Association said, "We did not understand the need of transferring the director when the timetable for the final exams has already been issued. Who will be responsible if something goes wrong during the exams?"

Meanwhile, a former education minister's private secretary has now replaced Sumangala. SK Chanabasappa, who worked with Kimmane Rathnakar who was the state's Primary and Secondary Education Minister has replaced Sumanagala. 

(First published in The New Indian Express)