MDCAT retest today amid tight security
After a delay of more than two months, the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) will be held afresh on Sunday (today) amid tight security arrangements with mobile signals completely blocked in and around examination halls across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
No candidate would be allowed to carry with him water bottles, pencils or even pens into the examination centers while dozens of internet cafes in the city have already been shut down.
Security has also been put on high alert and mobile signals would be partially blocked across the province due to the test.
In addition to this, special mobile phone signal jammers have been installed around the examination halls in order to stop the possible use of spy communication gadgets during the test.
The Peshawar District Administration has imposed Section 144 in the city as security has been beefed up in seven cities across K-P where the test will be held.
“A strict watch would be kept by commissioners, deputy commissioners, DIGs and district police officers,” a government official told The Express Tribune.
In September, the K-P caretaker cabinet decided to re-conduct the MDCAT test through the Khyber Medical University within six weeks.
During a news conference following the caretaker cabinet’s meeting, Information Minister Barrister Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel addressed the MDCAT scam and acknowledged the injustice inflicted upon bright students.
The previous MDCAT held in the K-P on Sept 11 was marred by the use of unfair means. During the test, the examination staff apprehended more than 40 students for allegedly trying to cheat using topnotch Bluetooth devices. In view of the scandal, the caretaker provincial cabinet on Sept 29 also decided to re-conduct the test.
The joint investigation team formed by the K-P government to probe into the use of covert Bluetooth devices for cheating during the MDCAT in September identified the mastermind. However, the JIT did not release his name.
On Nov 5, the provincial government approved a proposed action plan for the re-conduct of MDCAT on Nov 26 .
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2023.
Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.