LAHORE: An emergency meeting of the Punjab Education Board (PBCC) has been held to review the examination activities in the province and take important decisions to prevent malpractices in the education sector.
In a meeting attended by heads of nine boards in Punjab, it was agreed to adopt a unified policy to ensure transparency in examinations. The session was chaired by the Secretary of Higher Education and the Chairman of the PBCC in the provincial capital.
The development comes after malpractices were discovered during the 2024 Matric (Class 9) annual examination.
A surprise raid conducted by Punjab School Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat and BISE Lahore Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa revealed the appointment of private individuals as examination officials in various examination centres.
This visit also revealed extensive reports of cheating during examinations at various centers in BISE Lahore.
The matter was taken seriously by the provincial government and a cabinet was formed to investigate the riots.
Provincial Minister Bilal Inasin, who heads the council, expressed serious concern because reports of cheating in exams also came from other districts.
A number of measures have been approved by the PBCC following Cabinet directives to formulate a comprehensive policy on future inspections.
In the meeting, the education secretary said that private security guards will not be hired for examination-related posts and test centers will not be set up in cramped quarters.
The PBCC chairman said schools, universities and wedding halls would be selected for the examination.
Addressing the meeting, the secretary said the question papers would be watermarked to prevent leakage and ordered strict action against those found cheating.
Officials were also ordered to prepare a list of those who were negligent in their duties.
It was also decided to propose that the Secretary of School Education be included as a permanent member of the PBCC.
