Senator Bushra Warns Cambridge Over Paper Leaks, Expresses Disappointment With HEC on Degree Attestation Delays

By: Nadeem Tanoli

Islamabad: Senator Bushra Anjum Butt strongly warned Cambridge authorities over paper leaks and said Pakistan may move students to other international examination systems if such negligence continues, while also expressing serious disappointment over the Higher Education Commission’s failure to resolve degree attestation issues despite earlier promises.

Speaking to the media after a meeting of the Senate Federal Education and Professional Training Committee, Senator Bushra Anjum Butt said Cambridge was responsible for the paper leak problem and the committee made it clear that students should not suffer because of the examination body’s mistake.

She said the sub committee formed earlier had completed its work and held talks with Cambridge authorities. According to her, Pakistani students’ demands had been accepted because the negligence was on Cambridge’s side. She said the affected papers would be retaken, students would not be charged any extra fee, and their academic timeline would not be wasted.

Senator Bushra said students were also present during the process and their concerns were heard. She praised the students, saying they came fully prepared with research, knowledge and homework. She said their suggestions had been included so they could be placed before Cambridge to ensure that such paper leaks and system loopholes do not happen again.

In a strong message to Cambridge, she said Pakistan had clearly told the examination body that other international examination boards were also being brought in. She warned that if Cambridge continued to act irresponsibly, Pakistan could shift its children to other systems.

Talking about the arrival of more foreign boards, Senator Bushra said this would create competition and give Pakistani students more options. She said at present Cambridge has too much control over fees and policies, but when more choices are available, Pakistan will also be in a stronger position to set its own terms.

She said the committee fought fully for the rights of students and made sure their demands were accepted. She added that competition among foreign boards would improve the education system and reduce the pressure of depending on only one examination body.

On the issue of degree attestation, Senator Bushra expressed deep disappointment over the absence of the HEC chairman from the committee meeting. She said the matter of degree attestation had been pending for a long time and students were suffering because of delays.

She said she had personally taken up the issue for more than two years and had pushed it repeatedly in the committee. According to her, the HEC chairman had earlier assured the committee that the commission had approved the process and that online degree attestation would move forward at a fast pace.

However, Senator Bushra said the latest explanation given to her was very discouraging. She said the response about visits and procedures was the same old answer and did not show real progress. She said it appeared that the HEC chairman had lost interest after making promises.

She said she had earlier visited the HEC office herself, studied the online procedure and appreciated the system at that time. But she added that the latest response from HEC was disappointing and the promises made earlier had not been fulfilled.

Senator Bushra said she would take up the matter again because degree attestation is directly linked with students’ future. She said students should not be forced to face repeated delays in such an important matter.

Speaking about her experience as committee chairperson, she said the committee did not only identify problems but also tried to find solutions. She said she got the chance to work on many important issues and also learned a lot during her tenure.

She said the degree attestation issue was one of the first matters she had taken up and she had continued to raise it again and again. She added that she had hoped the problem would finally be resolved, but the latest committee meeting had left her discouraged.

Responding to a question about the education budget and tax on stationery items, Senator Bushra said the government had presented the budget in a very difficult situation. She said education always needs more funding and no amount of spending on education can be called enough.

She said Pakistan has a large youth population and the Prime Minister’s focus is that young people should receive academic education, vocational training or some useful skill. She said the government wants children and youth to be prepared for practical life.

On taxes, she said Pakistan is facing serious economic pressure and also has to expand its tax net under IMF requirements. She admitted that taxes on items like pens, pencils and sharpeners affect ordinary families and make education more expensive for poor children.

Senator Bushra said she agreed that the government must carefully choose where to increase taxes and where not to. However, she added that the country also has to increase tax collection because when taxes are not collected properly, pressure comes on salaried people and small sectors.

She said government schools are supported through books and other expenses provided by the government, but accepted that the increase in education costs still affects people. She said it is a sad reality that many schools still face missing facilities and lack of resources, and more work is needed to fix these problems.

She said education, student rights, degree attestation, examination reforms and affordable learning materials remain serious issues that need continuous attention from the government, education bodies and parliamentary committees.