Internet shutdown during the entrance exam and the differing opinions of the Minister of Science: it’s only cut off in the exam centers. The Minister of Communications says the decision is with the Security Council.
Mohammad Ali Zolfi Gol, Iran’s Minister of Science, in response to today’s remarks on January 4 by the Deputy of the National Organization of Educational Testing about a nationwide internet shutdown on January 19 and 20 to prevent cheating and leaks of exam questions, announced that during the 2023 entrance exam, only the internet in the exam centers will be cut off.
Isa Zarepour, Iran’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, also stated that the matter is under review and nothing has been decided yet, and overall, his ministry is not the decision-maker; this responsibility lies with the National Security Council.
Mr. Zarepour said that the National Organization of Educational Testing has requested this because tools and devices have been found that can be connected to the internet and used to cheat during exam sessions. To protect the rights of the exam participants, the internet should be cut off during the exam period.