PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Shahram Khan Tarakai said on Thursday that those using unfair means in exams will face strict action.

During a visit to a school in Peshawar, the minister said stringent measures were being taken to eradicate use of unfair means during examinations. Shahram Tarakai said students are future leaders of the country, and the government will take every possible measure to equip them with quality education.

During the visit, the minister reviewed arrangements in the examination hall and facilities being providing to students. He urged students to pay full attention to their studies in order to earn a good name for their families and the country.

Speaking about the Malakand exam incident where the son of the education board chief was caught cheating, the minister said it was a cheating case which was unfortunate and immoral. He said such nasty incidents in exams can never be tolerated. He said a case has been registered against the controller of exams for allegedly arranging cheating for his son. He also hinted at forwarding the case to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) or anti-corruption department. He assured that he would do everything in his power to get such corrupt, dishonest people punished because this is intolerable and bringing bad name to the whole education system. He said trust has been broken with this act of cheating.

The minister said a total 700,000 children were taking part in exams of 10, 12 grades in the first phase, while during the second phase students of class 9th, 11th would appear in exams after Eidul Azha from July 27, adding the result of the exams would be announced in August.

He said schools could be closed in case of an increase in corona cases during the 4th wave of the pandemic. However, he added, efforts would be made to keep schooling activities going on. Shahram Tarakai asked the students and staff to follow coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) in order to contain the spread of the pandemic.

The minister said that a tree plantation campaign will be started regularly from today (Friday), and urged students and teachers to take part enthusiastically in order to grow more trees and ensure a healthy environment for living.