Paper leaked, Quality Assurance Test postponed

LAHORE: The Punjab Education Foundation's (PEF) decision to entrust the Punjab Examination Commission (PEC) with conducting its Quality Assurance Test (QAT) for the first time took an unexpected turn when the test, scheduled for Thursday, had to be abruptly postponed due to a leaked paper.

This incident has sparked controversy, with PEF pointing fingers at PEC for the failure to conduct the test effectively. The PEF underscored its concerns by issuing an official press release, stating that the Punjab Examination Commission had failed to carry out the QAT in partner schools affiliated with the Punjab Education Foundation. The Punjab Education Foundation has relied on its annual Quality Assurance Test to ensure that its affiliated schools maintain high educational standards. Traditionally conducted in phases by PEF, the 2024 QAT took a different approach when the Punjab Examination Commission decided to conduct the test for over 7,000 PEF partner schools on a single day. However, this new strategy backfired when the test had to be abruptly canceled.

Talking to The News, PEF MD Shahid Farid revealed that the Foundation had entered into a Rs500m agreement with PEC, approved by its Board, to conduct the test in a transparent manner. Under this agreement, PEC was responsible for developing, printing, transporting, and conducting the QAT. However, the test had to be canceled due to a leaked paper, leading to questions about PEC’s ability to fulfill its obligations under the agreement.

Farid stated the PEF’s Board of Directors would meet early next week to decide on the future course of action, ensuring that the interests of the students and partner schools are protected and that they continue to receive the support they need. Meanwhile, the APPSA has called for an independent inquiry into the matter.

In a statement, the central president of APPSA Shabir Ahmed Hashmi emphasised the need for measures to prevent the loss of the academic session for students. He added this was particularly crucial given the upcoming holy month of Ramazan. When contacted, PEC CEO Tariq Iqbal stated that the Commission was actively investigating the leakage of the test paper. Following reports of the leakage, PEC had to cancel the test, a decision that was also communicated to PEF, he added. To a question Tariq said that PEC had enlisted the support of over 7,000 school teachers for exam duties.