Phones barred at exam centres to prevent paper leaks

The Board of Secondary Education Karachi staff, examiners, invigilators, teachers and students have been barred from taking their mobile phones to the examination centres in order to prevent the leaking of question papers.

The order was issued on Tuesday through a statement issued by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah’s adviser on universities and boards Nisar Ahmed Khuhro. “No one will be allowed to use a mobile phone at an exam centre. There will be a complete ban on bringing and using mobile phones and internet devices. Board staffers, invigilators, external and internal examiners, and students will not be allowed to use mobile phones.”

Khuhro said that every centre’s administration should search board staffers and students before the start of the paper, and no one should be allowed to take their phone inside. If a mobile phone is found inside the centre, it will be confiscated, he added.

He said the issue of leaked papers is being investigated, following which strict action will be taken against the persons responsible. The administration and the police should strictly enforce Section 144 within the limits of the exam centres, he added.

The adviser said eradication of the copying culture must be encouraged. Using unfair means in exams will not be tolerated under any circumstances. “We have to get rid of the cheating culture.”