Education board officials face inquiry

Complainant alleges corruption in affiliation of institutions

LAHORE: The Anti-Corruption Establishment is holding an inquiry on allegations against some officials of the Lahore Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education of corruption in affiliation of private colleges and protecting those involved in leaking question papers during annual examinations.

A citizen leveled the allegations in an online application against former chairperson of the board, Prof Ismail Chaudhry, Research Coordination Officer Nasir Jamil, affiliation branch officer Munir Akbar, Arif Gujjar and others. The complainant alleged that the former chairperson and controller got their favourites appointed on important posts in the administration, affiliation and estate offices, who received Rs300,000 from private institutions for affiliation and Rs50,000 for postings and promotions of employees.

During the annual intermediate examinations last year, especially in Patoki Examination Centre No.4, Punjab University Centre at Wahdat Road and FC College University Centre, question papers were leaked through WhatsApp and millions of rupees were collected from students caught cheating to help them escape punishment the complainant alleged.

When contacted, former chairperson Prof. Chaudhry denied the allegations.During the 2019 Intermediate Examinations, the cheating mafia involved in leaking question papers was immediately brought to the book and the matter was reported to the Chief Minister's Inspection Team, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2020.