PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP Chief Secretary CS Shahab Ali Shah on Thursday ordered strict measures to prevent cheating in the upcoming matriculation examinations, emphasizing transparency and merit in the examination process.
During a high-level meeting attended by the Secretary of Education, commissioners, chairmen of education boards, and district education officers via video link, Shah directed officials to take comprehensive steps to ensure fair conduct of the exams.
“Matriculation exams play a pivotal role in shaping the future of students, and the government is committed to reforming the examination system,” Shah said. “Education is a fundamental sector, and we must eliminate cheating at all costs.”
To ensure transparency, the Chief Secretary announced that examination duties will be assigned based on merit, with Grade 18 officers and above deployed to monitor the exams. The Education Monitoring Authority (EMA), district administration, and special branch will also be mobilized for oversight. CCTV cameras will be installed at examination centers where necessary, and daily reports will be compiled to track progress.
In a bid to prevent external interference, Assistant Commissioners will inspect examination halls instead of Tehsildars. Officers with questionable records will be barred from examination duties.
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Shah warned that strict action will be taken against anyone facilitating cheating, including invigilators and staff. “Those involved in cheating will not be spared under any circumstances,” he said.
To curb irregularities, the government has imposed a ban on private educational institutions hosting examination halls. Additionally, student transfers to other institutions after Feb. 1 have been prohibited to prevent undue advantages through last-minute migrations.
Authorities will also conduct raids on stationery shops and photocopy centers near examination centers suspected of selling cheating materials.
“The trend of cheating is destroying our education system,” Shah said. “We are committed to ensuring a transparent and fair examination process to produce capable and talented students for the country.”
The measures come as part of the provincial government’s broader efforts to reform the education sector and restore public confidence in the examination system.
