Security claims MB wants to leak exams

“Sovereign entities” have informed the Minister of Education of a Brotherhood plot to leak the thanaweya amma exam, state-owned newspaper Al-Akhbar reported Tuesday.

“Terrorist plans to leak the thanaweya amma test to embarrass government,” read the headline of the report. Another version of the story ran on the front page of the paper, which is the country’s second largest state newspaper.

The term “sovereign entities” is shorthand for State Security, which was renamed Homeland Security after the uprising that overthrew Hosni Mubarak.

A key member of the plot, according to the report, is the former Minister of Education, Ibrahim Ghoneim, who worked to appoint proctors that were Brotherhood sympathizers or members.

The leaking of exams is a perennial occurrence, not least because of the value of the exam results. The score received on the exam determines students’ college placements, and consequently income levels in the future.

Most students spend their education studying for the exam, and spending money on private lessons, rather than experiencing a well-rounded curriculum.

Last term, the ministry looked to prevent students from swapping pre-completed exams by wrapping them in aluminum foil and cellophane.

Rather than students or their parents looking to ensure a high score on the test, the primary reason for the plot to leak the exam is to provoke the cancellation of the test and embarrass the government.

Exams this term are set to start next week, according to the exams website.

College exams, especially at Al-Azhar University, were delayed last term due to clashes between students and security forces. This term started late, also due to security concerns.