LAHORE: Punjab School Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat revealed on Sunday that examination centres had been sold for Rs80,000 to the cheating mafia during the ongoing Matric (Class-9) Annual Exams 2024 in Lahore.
While making big revelations about the cheating mafia, he claimed that he had been given huge offers as well as threats by the mafia.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, a spokesperson for the minister said Rana Sikandar Hayat made it clear that he would not let Punjab become Sindh and Karachi on this count and continue chasing the ‘booti’ [exam cheating] mafia.
He said suspension of the BISE chairman over his failure to maintain transparency in the ongoing exam was just the beginning. He alleged that the Board chairman and controller of examinations were hand in glove with the cheating mafia.
Rana Sikandar said 30 people had been arrested from the examination centres so far. “We are tightening the noose around the booti mafia through these arrested persons,” he said and added that soon the big fish would also be exposed.
The minister said that advance booking had also been done regarding the sale and purchase of mathematics paper, to be held on Monday (today). He said the private school mafia had also bought centres to ensure award of high marks to their students.
The minister said the paper rate was fixed between Rs4,000 and Rs7,000 and the invigilators had posted messages on social media about the ‘fee’ per paper. Rana Sikandar said no one dared taking action against the mafia in the past. But, now Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had taken a stand against it. He expressed his determination that under the leadership of CM Maryam Nawaz, the cheating mafia would be chased to the last person. He said Maryam Nawaz’s vision was to liberate the education system from the mafia.
Talking to The News, Minister Rana Sikandar confirmed the government action against officials over their failure to ensure transparency in exams. He reiterated his commitment to eradicating the cheating mafia in Punjab.
Rana Sikandar also expressed dismay, noting that individuals who had not passed even 9th or 10th grade exams were found supervising the process at various exam centres.
Earlier, in a series of developments surrounding the ongoing Matric (Class-9) Annual Exams 2024, the commissioner Lahore, acting as the Lahore Board chairman, launched an inquiry into the process of assigning examination-related duties.
Additionally, the Controller of Exams of Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore announced disciplinary action against staff for failing to fulfil their duties, citing provisions of the Punjab Essential Services Act, 1958, and the PEEDA Act, 2006.
Earlier on Sunday, Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, who assumed the additional role of the Lahore Board chairman, initiated an inquiry against the Board officials, involved in the process of assigning examination-related duties. Sources said an inquiry would be conducted to scrutinise officials of the BISE Lahore Conduct Branch, responsible for overseeing the process of assigning exam-related duties.
The move follows reports of flaws in the process, which led to widespread cheating during the ongoing Matric (Class-9) exams in Lahore. These issues were brought to light during unannounced surprise raids conducted at exam centres by Schools Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat.
In response to minister’s raids, which revealed incidents of widespread exam malpractices and severe negligence, the Punjab government suspended BISE Lahore Chairman Dr Syed Ansar Azhar on Saturday under Section 6 of the PEEDA Act, 2006, while Controller Examinations Irfan Ahmad was relieved from his duties.
Muhammad Ali Randhawa chaired a meeting at the BISE Lahore on Sunday and appointed the Additional Commissioner (Coordination) as head of the inquiry. He also directed the staff to produce lists of teachers and non-teaching staff, who refused to perform exam-related duties or were absent and observed that the question on transparency of the examinations was a very sad matter; therefore, people involved did not deserve any concession.
The chairman observed that superintendent of an examination centre could not appoint a private individual as an invigilator. He also directed that deputy commissioners (DCs) and chief executive officer (CEO) District Education Authorities (DEAs) of each district in Lahore division would ensure that teachers and staff assigned duties, should perform their duties.
In a letter to Deputy Director Colleges and CEOs of DEAs, BISE Lahore’s new Controller of Exams Muhammad Zahid Mian said if any appointed staff would not report for duty without any genuine and cogent reason beyond his/her control, he/she would be liable to be proceeded against departmentally by the competent authority concerned in the light of the provisions of the Punjab Essential Services Act, 1958 and PEEDA Act 2006.
Meanwhile, Punjab Teachers Union (PTU) has demanded the government replace officials enjoying posting at the Lahore Board’s Conduct Branch for years. In a press release, PTU Central General Secretary Rana Liaquat claimed that the Conduct Branch of BISE Lahore misrepresented a shortage of government teachers and instead appointed private individuals as supervisors at the exam centres. He said action should also be taken against those found involved in the malpractice.
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