HYDERABAD: Rampant cheating was reported from most examination centres of the Hyderabad Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) on Tuesday, when the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) part-I and II exams got under way in the province.

An undeclared restriction was imposed on media personnel’s entry into the centres though the reporters who accompanied controller of examinations, Masroor Ahmed Zai, were able to freely enter exam halls in their pre-decided visits.

No reporter was allowed to enter any centre independently without having obtained prior permission of the controller.

Many candidates were seen using cheating material and mobile phones in the presence of invigilators. “Friends” of candidates were seen providing cheating material from outside the centres — Muslim Science College and City College — visited by this reporter.

Mismanagement also marred holding of the day’s exams. Question paper at many a centre didn’t reach on time, ie 9.30am.

The Hyderabad BISE covers Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Jamshoro, Tando Mohammad Khan, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Shaheed Benazirabad and Dadu districts.

A total of 142 centres have been established in these districts. The board has formed 21 vigilance teams and a monitoring cell has been set up at its office.

The board management said that 116 copying cases were reported on the first day.

Controller Zai, explaining the restriction on media personnel, said that journalists could seek his permission over phone to visit a particular centre. “I am also bound to seek the BISE chairman’s permission for allowing media personnel to visit exam centres without seeking prior permission [from the controller],” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2018