A raid on an examination centre in a Punjab school by Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka Friday proved a reality check for him, as he was "appalled" to see students sitting on floor to write their exams.
"The minister was appalled to see girl students sitting on the floor in the extreme cold conditions and writing their examination," a spokesperson of the education department said here.
"On entering the centre, he was surprised to see that students were stuffed in classrooms and many students were sitting on single benches, making mockery of the examination system," the spokesperson added. "Students were forced to write their exams in dark classrooms."
The raid was conducted on the Khalsa Senior Secondary School at Kharar, about 20 km from here, during the annual examinations of various classes.
Taking serious note of lack of supervision at various levels, the minister issued instructions to the Punjab School Education Board chairperson to conduct an inquiry to take action against those who recommended the school as an examination centre.
The minister recommended exemplary action against erring employees and sought a complete report from the authorities on this within three days, the spokesperson said.