LAHORE: Punjab’s School Education Minister, Rana Sikandar Hayat, disclosed on Sunday that examination centers had been illicitly traded for Rs80,000 to the cheating syndicate during the ongoing Matric (Class-9) Annual Exams 2024 in Lahore.
While exposing the activities of the cheating syndicate, he asserted that he had faced significant offers as well as threats from the syndicate.
In a statement released on Sunday, a spokesperson for the minister stated that Rana Sikandar Hayat had made it explicit that he would not allow Punjab to succumb to the malpractices seen in Sindh and Karachi, vowing to relentlessly pursue the cheating syndicate.
He mentioned the suspension of the BISE chairman as just the start, accusing the Board chairman and examination controller of colluding with the cheating syndicate.
Rana Sikandar stated that 30 individuals had been apprehended from the examination centers so far, emphasizing the tightening grip around the cheating syndicate through these arrests and promising exposure of more significant players.
The minister divulged that there had been prearranged deals regarding the sale and acquisition of the mathematics paper scheduled for Monday. He further alleged that private school operators had secured centers to ensure favorable outcomes for their students.
Rana Sikandar highlighted that the price for exam papers ranged between Rs4,000 and Rs7,000, with invigilators openly discussing fees per paper on social media. He underscored the previous inaction against the mafia but commended Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for standing against it, expressing determination to eradicate it under her leadership and emphasizing her vision to cleanse the education system from such malpractices.
In an interview with The News, Minister Rana Sikandar reaffirmed the government’s action against officials failing to uphold transparency in exams, reiterating his dedication to rooting out the cheating syndicate in Punjab.
He also expressed dismay at discovering individuals who hadn’t passed even the 9th or 10th grade exams supervising the process at various exam centers.
Previously, in response to ongoing issues during the Matric (Class-9) Annual Exams 2024, the Lahore commissioner, acting as the Lahore Board chairman, initiated an inquiry into the assignment of examination-related duties.
Furthermore, the Controller of Exams of Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore announced disciplinary measures against staff for dereliction of duty, citing provisions of relevant acts.
Earlier on Sunday, Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, taking on the additional role of the Lahore Board chairman, launched an inquiry into the Board officials involved in assigning examination-related duties. The inquiry aims to scrutinize BISE Lahore Conduct Branch officials responsible for this task.
This move follows reports of irregularities leading to widespread cheating during the ongoing Matric (Class-9) exams in Lahore, brought to light by unannounced surprise raids conducted by Schools Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat.
In response to the minister’s raids revealing rampant malpractices and negligence, the Punjab government suspended BISE Lahore Chairman Dr Syed Ansar Azhar under relevant acts, while Controller Examinations Irfan Ahmad was relieved of duties.
Muhammad Ali Randhawa chaired a meeting at BISE Lahore, appointing the Additional Commissioner (Coordination) to head the inquiry. He directed staff to provide lists of teachers and non-teaching staff who failed to perform duties or were absent, emphasizing that no leniency should be shown to those involved in compromising the examination’s transparency.
The chairman asserted that private individuals couldn’t be appointed as invigilators by examination center superintendents, directing DCs and CEOs of DEAs to ensure that assigned staff fulfill their duties.
In a letter to Deputy Director Colleges and CEOs of DEAs, BISE Lahore’s new Controller of Exams, Muhammad Zahid Mian, warned of disciplinary action against staff failing to report for duty without a valid reason, citing relevant acts.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
