Exam paper leaking: Court adjourns trial

The First High Criminal Court adjourned the trial of a public school teacher accused of leaking school final year question papers to June 11.

The intermediate school teacher allegedly took snapshots of seventh-grade final exam questions from a public school where she worked and passed it on to her students and parents using WhatsApp. Learning about the leak, Education ministry reported the incident to the Public Prosecution to take further actions, said Southern Governorate Chief Prosecutor, Noor Shehab.

Following an investigation, Public Prosecution referred the case to a Criminal Court. The prosecution interrogated the suspect, heard witnesses’ testimonies and verified the evidence. The woman confessed to her crime when confronted with the evidence. Public Prosecution accused her of divulging secrets as per Article 371 of the Kingdom’s Penal Code.

Article 371 of the Penal Code stipulates: “A punishment of imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding BD100 shall be inflicted on a person who divulges a secret entrusted thereto in his official capacity trade, profession or art in conditions other than those prescribed by the law or uses it for his personal benefit or for the benefit of another person, unless the person concerned with the secret allows the divulgence or use thereof.” The article also stipulates that punishment is severer in the case of public servants.