Karachi matric exams begin today at 520 centres

KARACHI: The first annual examinations for classes nine and ten under the Board of Secondary Education Karachi are set to begin on Friday, with more than 380,000 students expected to appear at 520 examination centres across the city.

On the eve of the examinations, a large number of students visited the matric board office to obtain admit cards, address registration-related problems and submit pending forms.

Some candidates who had shifted from private institutions to government schools encountered mismatches in their academic records. Others said they were unable to download their admit cards from the board’s website.

Board Chairman Ghulam Hussain Soho said admit cards had been issued within time. He said students facing technical or other difficulties were helped immediately, and their forms were also received on the final day.

Arrangements for paper distribution

To facilitate the examination process, authorities have established 25 hubs in 18 towns for the smooth delivery of question papers.

Administrative and law enforcement authorities have also taken steps to prevent interference from outside examination centres. Orders under Section 144 have been issued by the Karachi commissioner, the director general of Rangers, the additional inspector general, and the directors of education and private schools.

These measures are aimed at ensuring an orderly examination environment during the annual matric exams.

Steps against cheating

As part of anti-cheating arrangements, photocopy shops and machines located near examination centres will remain closed during the examinations.

The move is intended to reduce the risk of unfair means during the papers as the city begins one of its largest school examination exercises, involving hundreds of thousands of students.

The examinations are commencing amid a last-minute rush by students seeking to complete documentation and resolve administrative issues before the start of papers.