An official audit has flagged Rs71.7m irregular payments at BISE Mardan, exposing deep financial loopholes inside one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's major educational bodies. Auditors caught multiple instances of unauthorized spending, unverified disbursements, and rule violations that bypassed standard public financial controls. For students and parents relying on the board for transparent examinations and certificates, the findings hit hard at a time when fee structures keep climbing.
Where the Financial Loopholes Were Found
The audit report details multiple categories of fiscal deviation. Major deviations involve procurement without competitive bidding, unapproved allowances distributed among administrative staff, and payments made against goods that never reached board warehouses. Such practices point toward weak internal controls within the board's finance wing.
Key areas highlighted by auditors include:
- Procurements executed without mandatory tender notices.
- Honoraria and allowances disbursed outside approved government pay scales.
- Missing inventory records for heavy expenditure on stationery and IT equipment.
- Non-transparent utilization of welfare funds meant for educational development.
What This Means for KPK Education Boards
Financial mismanagement at examination boards directly affects ordinary households across Mardan, Swabi, and Nowshera districts. When boards bleed cash through irregularities, they often turn to raising matric and intermediate exam fees to plug the deficit. Ordinary families already struggle with inflation, making every rupee spent on unjustified administrative perks a direct burden on parents.
Moreover, these revelations draw sharp criticism toward the provincial Higher Education and Archives Department. Public oversight bodies have repeatedly demanded strict forensic audits of all educational boards in the province, but corrective actions remain slow.
What You Should Do
If you are a student, teacher, or parent dealing with BISE Mardan, stay vigilant regarding fee receipts and public notifications. Demand transparency from local administration when fee hikes are announced. If you suspect corrupt practices or notice anomalies in board operations, use the KP Right to Information (RTI) portal to request official audit summaries and expenditure details.
What to Watch Next
Keep an eye on the provincial assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The committee is expected to summon BISE Mardan officials for a formal inquiry regarding the audit findings. Watch whether the Higher Education Department initiates formal recovery proceedings or suspends officials allegedly involved in the unauthorized payouts.