NTS paper leak: K-P mulls setting up its own testing agency

Leaks probe committee recommends involving ETEA for future tests

PESHAWAR: After a test for prospective school teachers had to be called off at the last minute earlier in the month owing to the paper being leaked, the provincial government is now considering moving away from tests offered by a firm specialising in testing and to set up its own testing agency to improve the transparency of the testing process.

An inquiry committee, formed to probe the National Testing Service (NTS) paper leak has recommended that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education Department (K-PESED) involve the Education Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA) to improve the transparency of testing processes in the province.

On March 4, the K-PESED had scheduled tests for primary school teachers. The test had been split over two days and in three sessions so that 176,516 candidates could appear for it. Test for day one went smoothly.

But after the department received complaints from candidates in different districts that the question paper for one of the tests had apparently been leaked, the department cancelled tests just six minutes before it was scheduled to begin.

To probe the leaks, the K-PESED formed an inquiry committee comprising the K-PESED Special Secretary Education Arshad Khan, Education Director Farid Khattak and the NTS chief operating officer. The committee submitted its findings in the case to the department last week.

Talking to The Express Tribune, K-PESED Special Secretary Arshad Khan confirmed the recommendation to involve ETEA in future tests.

New tests schedule

Meanwhile, the NTS has issued a new schedule for aptitude tests for different teaching posts in the k-P government. The tests are scheduled to start from April 6.

According to NTS notification, tests for TT will be conducted on April 6, tests for class teachers will be held on April 7 and 8. Tests for primary school teachers will be held on April 14-15. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2018.