A video showing Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat embracing a 48-year-old man appearing in the First Year (Intermediate) board examinations has gone viral on social media, drawing widespread praise for promoting lifelong learning.
According to information shared by the minister, Rana Sikandar Hayat paid a surprise visit to the examination centre at Government High School Mustafa Abad to review arrangements for a transparent and organised conduct of the First Year board examinations.
During the visit, the minister interacted with students and inspected the examination process before noticing a 48-year-old candidate sitting for the Intermediate examination. Stopping to speak with him, Rana Sikandar Hayat praised the man’s determination to continue his education despite his age, embraced him, and wished him success in the exams.
The emotional moment, captured on video, was applauded by students and examination staff present at the centre. The clip has since spread rapidly across Facebook, X and TikTok, where thousands of users have described the candidate as an inspiration and said education should never be limited by age.
Many social media users also commended the minister for recognising the candidate’s commitment to learning, saying such encouragement could motivate others who had left their studies unfinished to return to education.
The minister’s visit was part of ongoing inspections aimed at ensuring the board examinations are conducted fairly, transparently and in an organised manner across Punjab.
