RAWALPINDI, Feb 29: The district education directorate plans to establish a separate branch for conducting middle standard examinations. The executive district officer, education, Prof Abdul Hameed Dar told Dawn that the plan came after the Punjab government's decision to centralize 8th class examinations. Previously, these examinations would have be conducted by the school administration concerned, he added.

This year, arrangements for conducting the examinations were made on emergency basis, the EDO said, adding neither funds were available nor necessary staff was at hand to do the needful. However, he said, from next year, a separate branch will be opened for this purpose.

Mr Dar said due to shortage of funds, the supervisory staff and other employees were hired on voluntary basis. About 168 examination centres have been set up throughout the district where more than 1,000 volunteers will perform duties.

About 35,000 candidates are appearing in the examination which commenced from Saturday. The EDO said about Rs5 million would be required to set up the special branch for conducting the middle class examinations in the district, while nearly 10 people would be appointed to run it.