Sindh CM pays surprise visit to two examination centres

Murad Ali Shah seeks support of parents, civil society to curb cheating culture in exams

KARACHI: During a surprise visit to two examination centres on Tuesday, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed concern over the increasing number of cheating cases being reported during the ongoing intermediate examinations.

"Copy culture in our education system is like a termite that is eating the vitals of the system. This has to be eliminated by improving the overall education system starting from primary, secondary and higher levels," the CM said while addressing the media. He claimed that he is taking measures to put an end to cheating in examinations.



"I the need support of parents, teachers, examiners and civil society to eliminate this menace," he said. The CM added that this is why he is visiting the examination centres. Adopting unfair means during examinations is a destruction of our future generation, he said.

The CM paid a surprise visit to Islamia College and Aisha Bawani College, where intermediate examinations are in progress in two shifts. He was accompanied by Principal Secretary Sohail Rajput, University and Boards Secretary Naveed Shaikh and the board's chairperson, Professor Inam.

Beginning his visit from Islamia College, the CM went to each classroom at the centre and spoke to some of the students appearing in the exam. The CM found that an invigilator at Islamia College was carrying a mobile phone with him while invigilating. The CM expressed his displeasure and directed Shaikh to issue a circular for all the educational boards that that no invigilator, supervisor or externals will be allowed to bring mobile phones inside the examination centre. "They have to supervise examinations. Why are they bringing their mobile phones inside?" the CM questioned, adding that he will take strict action if his directives were violated.



The CM also warned an assistant commissioner for carrying his mobile phone in his hand and said that mobile phones are prohibited inside the examination halls. "These instructions are not only for students and teachers but for all those who visit or supervise the centres," the CM said.

Later on, the CM went to Aisha Bawani College and visited all the classes where examination was in progress. He spoke to the students and asked them whether they were given question paper in time and also asked them about their preparation for the examinations.

The CM told the students that he does not want to disturb them during the exams but he wants them to know that they should work hard and clear the examinations without any unfair means. "No matter what grades you will get in your exams, it will give you a unique confidence in your career and you will get a bright future," he said, adding that cheating in examinations will destroy their future.



Smartphones seized from students

Education Minister Jam Mahtab Hussain Dahar seized dozens of smartphones from students during examinations. He paid surprise visits to Government City College Gulberg and Government Commerce College near PIDC.

Dahar handed over the phones to the invigilators and he warned the students that these mobile phones will not be returned that same day. He told the students that if any mobile phones were found in possession of the students, they will be confiscated.

During his visits, Dahar inspected the various examination rooms and advised the students not to cheat in exams. Speaking to the media, he said that it is the need of the hour to curb cheating in exams at any cost and for this purpose all stakeholders of the society, including teachers, parents, students and media, have to work on the same page.