Unchecked cheating raises questions on exams credibility

MQM-P suspends members of ex-MPA for harassing staff at exam centre

KARACHI:

Brazen cheating continues unchecked during the annual examinations for 9th and 10th classes under the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK), marking the fourth consecutive day of malpractice.

The BSEK administration finds itself once again helpless against the rampant activities of the cheating mafia. Prior to the exams, the question paper was leaked on social media platforms, while a video surfaced showing former MQM-Pakistan MPA Sadaqat Hussain allegedly intimidating staff at an exam centre.

According to reports, the English paper for Class X was circulated on WhatsApp groups nearly an hour before the exam started. At the same time, money was allegedly being extorted from students at various centres in exchange for leaked papers. Residents from areas like Korangi and Zaman Town have expressed distress over the proximity of cheating practices to their homes.

Meanwhile, a video allegedly depicting MPA Sadaqat surfaced on social media platforms, purportedly showing him coercing exam centre staff to aid in cheating activities. Sources claim that Sadaqat had arrived at the examination centre with a request to facilitate cheating for certain students, leading to an altercation with a female teacher present.

However, Sadaqat denied these accusations, saying that the school featured in the viral video, Little Paradise Academy, was his own establishment, and not a designated exam centre. He alleged a conspiracy to tarnish the school's reputation, citing a past incident involving a student expelled for unauthorised photography during a school event.

However, the MQM-Pakistan coordination committee took disciplinary action against Sadaqat, suspending his membership. A party spokesperson reaffirmed MQM-Pakistan's commitment to combating the cheating mafia and pledged zero tolerance for any party affiliates engaging in illicit activities or interfering with governmental proceedings. An investigative committee has been set up to probe the matter, with its findings to be made public through the media.

Published in The Express Tribune May 11^th, 2024.