ENTRY tests for admission to Bolan Medical College and other newly established medical colleges in Balochistan were conducted by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Feb 4 at the Balochistan University in Quetta.

Candidates who worked hard for two years and believed in fair play and merit, were disappointed by the HEC mismanagement. Previously, these tests were conducted by the National Testing Service (NTS).

Nobody ever raised objections on test conducted by NTS.

First thing we noticed was the delay in the start of test. It was to start at 10.00am, but it started at about 12.45pm. Then there were no proper checks on candidates using unfair means. Candidates were seen with their mobile phones in the examination hall. They got the answers to the questions from their helpers outside.

To make things worse, the invigilators helped their favourites and relatives in getting questions solved. Many impersonators succeeded in appearing in the examinations on behalf of actual candidates.

This resulted in severe reaction by genuine candidates who protested in front of the press clubs in Quetta and Khuzdar and also met to Balochistan chief minister.

The authorities concerned should declare the examinations null and void and hold fresh tests.

Haseema Baloch

Makran

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2018