Matric, inter exams 2024: Punjab board takes important decisions

The Punjab Boards Committee of Chairman (PBCC) has made significant decisions following the exposure of a cheating scandal during the Class 9 secondary school certificate exams.

In late March, Punjab’s Minister for School Education, Rana Sikandar Hayat, reported the discovery of several fraudulent students during a surprise visit to an exam center in the Sanda area of the city.

As a result, the papers of these students were invalidated, and five examination hall staff members were arrested. The minister also accused both the examination center and school officials of complicity in the cheating.

In response to the serious issue of malpractice during examinations, the Punjab government formed a cabinet committee to investigate the matter.

This committee instructed the PBCC to implement measures to prevent such incidents in future exams. Consequently, the PBCC made several important decisions.

Among these decisions, the PBCC opted not to employ private invigilators for matric and intermediate exams. Instead, it chose to use schools, colleges, and wedding halls as examination venues, avoiding narrow alleys.

Additionally, the use of watermarks on question papers was decided upon to prevent leakage before exams. Furthermore, officials were instructed to compile a list of individuals who failed to fulfill their duties diligently.