Pat-downs may be required for high school students sitting final exams

CAIRO – 3 April 2017: New frisking measures will be discussed to prevent high school students from bringing any electronic devices into their final exams, Education Ministry sources

told Youm7

.

Minister of Education Tarek Shawki refused to elaborate the new measures to

El-Watan

Newspaper, describing them as “secret” measures. He pointed out that a set of severe punishments are being considered as well to deter cheating.

In March, the ministry announced that it is considering using cell phone jammers inside examination rooms to prevent students from cheating.

In past years, some students have managed to conceal cell phones to cheat during their final exams for Thanaweya Amma, as the local high school diploma is known. The new measures are being considered to prevent the recurrence of 2016’s leaked exams scandal.

A presidential decree in 2015 set the punishment for leaking exams to one year in prison and a fine of 20,000-50,000 EGP ($1,100-$2,700).

Results of the Thanaweya Amma exams determine which colleges and universities a high school student is eligible to enroll in.

Parents demanded Sunday new solutions to detect concealed devices and search students during exams without taking too much time.