PESHAWAR: Reports of alleged paper leaks during the ongoing Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations under various examination boards in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Peshawar, have raised concerns among students, parents, and other stakeholders about the credibility of the examination system.
According to reports, two out of the three papers conducted so far in the provincial capital were allegedly leaked before the scheduled examination time.Some reports suggested that solved multiple-choice questions (MCQs) were available outside certain examination centres during the exams, raising serious questions about the integrity of the process.
The situation intensified after the Urdu paper held on Thursday reportedly went viral on social media during the examination, while complaints had earlier emerged regarding the alleged leakage of the Islamiat paper.
“Such incidents have become increasingly frequent, exposing weaknesses in the system and administrative lapses,” a senior official told The News.However, board authorities rejected the allegations as baseless and lacking credible evidence.
An official statement from the Board of Intermediate and SecondaryEducation Peshawar (BISEP) stated that the claims appeared to be a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and undermine trust in the examination system.
Talking to The News, BISEP Chairman Khuda Baksh said: “At this stage, it is not confirmed whether any paper was leaked before the examination.”He added that investigations were underway to determine the facts, including the timing and source of the reported leaks.
The chairman said the board follows a strict policy: if any complaint is made against an examination hall, the entire invigilation staff is replaced. The same action was taken at an examination centre at Government High School Sharikira, where staff were replaced following complaints of alleged leaks and mismanagement.“An inquiry has been constituted, and the actual situation will be established after completion of the probe,” he said.
He claimed that the examination process was proceeding smoothly. “We have 769 halls under the Peshawar Board, and no complaint has been received against any of them except the Sharikira centre,” he added.
Despite rejecting the allegations, the board has taken precautionary measures. The board secretary has issued strict directives to all examination superintendents to enforce a complete ban on mobile phones and electronic devices in examination halls.
An official communiqué warned that any violation would result in strict disciplinary action, and the concerned staff would be held personally responsible.The board reiterated its commitment to maintaining credibility, transparency, and fairness in the examination process, urging the public and media to rely only on official sources while the inquiry remains underway.
Meanwhile, criticism continues to mount over the board’s overall management and reform initiatives introduced in recent years.The cluster examination system, in particular, has drawn strong criticism from students, parents, and other stakeholders, especially private school owners.
Many candidates reportedly faced confusion regarding their assigned centres. Some arrived at designated venues only to find their exams scheduled elsewhere.They also complained about a lack of basic facilities in examination halls.Concerns have further been raised over the appointment of fresh and inexperienced graduates as invigilation staff.
