Minister asks IBCC to contact Cambridge over fresh paper leak claims
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ISLAMABAD: Following a fresh complaint of paper leak, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Tuesday directed the Inter-Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) to immediately contact Cambridge authorities to ensure a thorough investigation, factual clarification and urgent measures to protect students’ interests. Following the leak of Pure Maths 1 paper (9709) and subsequent Cambridge retake of it on June 9, fresh allegations surfaced of AS-level Mathematic paper leak held on Tuesday. Many students stated that the paper was available on social media just a day earlier. Besides around 160 countries, Cambridge International Education (CIE), part of Cambridge University Press and Assessment, conduct exams in Pakistan of O and A levels. But last year, there was also an uproar by parents and students over leakage of at least five papers. The issue was debated by the Senate and National Assembly standing committees where several parents also recorded their statements, stating that at least five papers were leaked. We see a deliberate attempt to undermine integrity of exams, says Cambridge country director They said that the paper leakage was an injustice with hard working students. Subsequently, Cambridge last year acknowledged that three papers were “partially” leaked and they made adjustments for the affected students. This year’s fresh allegations, following the Mathematics Pure Paper and AS Mathematics paper incidents, have once again prompted the education minister to take notice. Dr Siddiqui expressed concern and regret over the alleged leakage of Cambridge examination papers. He stated that such incidents cause severe mental stress, anxiety, and uncertainty for thousands of students and their parents, particularly for those who prepare for their examinations with hard work, dedication, and honesty. The minister said that this is an extremely serious matter, especially as similar incidents were also reported last year. He adde