Senate panel appreciates students for highlighting Cambridge A-Level paper leak concerns

ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP): The Chairperson of Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, Senator Bushra Anjum, appreciated the students’ efforts in highlighting the issue regarding allegations of paper leakages in Cambridge A-Level examinations, in which affected students presented their concerns and shared findings regarding possible leaks and their impact.

The Committee met at Parliament House under the chairpersonship of Senator Bushra Anjum Butt to deliberate on a range of important matters concerning higher education, school education, technical training, and special education, said a press release on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by Senators Rahat Jamali, Syed Masroor Ahsan, and Khalida Ateeb. Senators Jan Muhammad and Rana Mahmood-ul-Hassan also attended as movers of agenda items.

The Committee was also briefed by the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) regarding allegations of paper leakages in Cambridge A-Level examinations. The Chairperson further urged IBCC to engage with Cambridge authorities to ensure a fair resolution and safeguard students’ rights.

Meanwhile, the Committee considered The Iqra Global University Bill, 2026. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) raised certain objections and recommended that the proposed legislation be routed through the committee headed by the Deputy Prime Minister after addressing deficiencies identified by HEC. Following detailed deliberations, the Committee approved the bill while directing that all HEC requirements be fulfilled in accordance with the revised procedure.

The Committee also discussed the issue of non-implementation of the mandatory 10 percent quota for free education in private schools of Islamabad for deserving students. Officials informed the Committee that the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PIERA) has a monitoring mechanism in place; however, data from a number of schools is still awaited. The Committee was further informed that the eligibility criteria have been expanded to include registered out-of-school children.

Expressing concern over incomplete data and weak implementation, Chairperson Senator Bushra Anjum Butt directed the relevant authorities to ensure strict enforcement of the quota. She also proposed introducing incentives, including performance certificates, for schools demonstrating effective compliance.

The Committee reviewed the issue of non-attestation of degrees awarded by certain universities. HEC informed members that a new scrutiny committee has been constituted and that the matter would be decided upon submission of its report. The Chairperson expressed dissatisfaction over prolonged delays and directed HEC to expedite the process. She assured affected degree holders of the Committee’s full support in resolving the longstanding issue.

Discussion on the sub-committee report concerning the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) was deferred due to the absence of the sub-committee convener.

The Committee also examined issues relating to the policy framework for visually impaired persons. Expressing displeasure over the failure to implement previous committee directives regarding stakeholder consultations, the Chairperson directed the Director General Special Education to engage all concerned parties and resolve outstanding issues under the supervision of the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.

Additionally, the Committee received a briefing on a proposed initiative by volunteers from Karachi aimed at promoting financial literacy among young people. Appreciating the initiative, the Chairperson directed the Secretary Federal Education and the Executive Director HEC to facilitate coordination between the volunteers and educational institutions, enabling financial literacy sessions in schools and universities across the country.

The meeting concluded with directions to all relevant stakeholders to ensure timely implementation of the Committee’s recommendations and to report progress in subsequent meetings.