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Peshawar, In a significant move towards educational reform, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Education Minister Faisal Khan Turkai announced comprehensive measures to curb cheating in upcoming board exams, emphasizing the introduction of examinations based on Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) to foster student creativity. The announcement came during a briefing provided by the heads of all education boards in the province, aimed at discussing the implementation of reforms across the boards.
According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the briefing, which also saw the presence of Education Secretary Masood Ahmed and Additional Secretary Abdul Akram, revealed that 881,000 students across the province are set to participate in the matriculation board exams. To accommodate these students, around 3,500 examination halls have been established, equipped with CCTV cameras to monitor the exams and digital attendance systems to prevent impersonation.
One of the key reforms introduced is on-screen marking of papers, a move that notably benefits female markers by allowing them to work from home. This system enables continuous 24-hour marking throughout the week, with software monitoring to ensure integrity. Education Secretary Masood Ahmed emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards exam malpractices, assuring swift action against any examination staff involved in such activities.
The focus on exams based on Student Learning Outcomes is expected to significantly enhance student creativity and performance, particularly in competitive examinations. This approach moves away from rote learning, encouraging students to engage more deeply with the material.
The Education Minister’s reforms have been met with appreciation, with further directives issued to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the examination staff’s duties. This comprehensive strategy underscores the provincial government’s commitment to improving educational standards and fostering a more conducive learning environment for students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.