Punjab’s School Education Minister, Rana Sikandar Hayat, disclosed alarming details on Sunday regarding the ongoing Class-9 Annual Exams 2024 in Lahore.
He revealed that certain examination centers had been illicitly sold to cheating groups for a sum of Rs80,000, raising serious questions about the integrity and security of the examination process.
Rana Sikandar Hayat also disclosed that he had received both offers and threats from the cheating groups. This highlights the extent to which these groups are willing to go to maintain their illicit operations and the challenges faced by authorities in combating such malpractices.
In an official statement released on Sunday, a spokesperson for the minister reiterated Rana Sikandar Hayat’s commitment to eradicating exam cheating in Punjab. He emphasized that the suspension of the BISE chairman was just the beginning of a broader effort to cleanse the system of corruption.
The minister accused the Board chairman and the controller of examinations of colluding with the cheating groups, signaling a strong stance against corruption within the educational administration.
Rana Sikandar Hayat highlighted that 30 individuals had already been apprehended from the examination centers, signaling an active crackdown on the cheating mafia. He further revealed that there were advance arrangements for the sale and purchase of mathematics papers.
Private school entities were allegedly purchasing examination centers to secure high marks for their students, indicating a widespread and organized effort to manipulate exam results.
The minister disclosed that the rates for purchasing exam papers ranged between Rs4,000 and Rs7,000. Furthermore, invigilators were openly discussing these fees on social media platforms, suggesting a brazenness and audacity among those involved in the cheating mafia.
Rana Sikandar Hayat applauded Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s stance against the cheating mafia and expressed his determination to root out this corruption under her leadership. His strong stance and commitment to tackling this issue are commendable and necessary for restoring the integrity of the educational system in Punjab.
The revelations made by Rana Sikandar Hayat shed light on the pervasive issue of exam cheating and corruption within the educational system in Punjab.
His determination to combat this corruption and his strong stance against the cheating mafia are crucial steps towards restoring the credibility and integrity of the educational system.
It is imperative for the authorities to take swift and decisive action to address these issues and ensure a fair and transparent examination process for all students.
