MQM criticises Karachi matric exam management

KARACHI: Muhajir Qaumi Movement Chairman Afaq Ahmed has criticised what he described as large-scale mismanagement in Karachi’s matriculation examinations, alleging corruption and discrimination in the allocation of examination centres.

In a statement, Ahmed said the reported sale of examination centres for large sums was a shameful act and alleged that the Sindh government was complicit. He also objected to the way centres were assigned to students appearing in the examinations.

According to Ahmed, students enrolled in government schools were being sent to distant examination centres located in other districts and rural areas. At the same time, candidates from private institutions were allegedly being allotted centres closer to their homes or schools. He said this difference in treatment pointed to what he called a long-standing nexus between private school operators and the matriculation board.

Ahmed further alleged that owners of private schools obtained favourable examination centres by paying large sums. He claimed they then recovered more than that amount by charging students thousands of rupees for each paper, while allegedly enabling cheating through organised arrangements.

Allegations over board administration

The MQM chairman also raised questions about recent appointments at the Board of Secondary Education Karachi. He alleged that the appointments were made on political grounds.

Ahmed linked the alleged irregularities in the examination system to broader administrative problems within the board, saying the current arrangement had created unequal conditions for students from different educational backgrounds.

He described the reported sale of examination centres for hefty sums as a shameful act and said the situation reflected corruption in the conduct of matriculation examinations in the city.

Ahmed’s criticism focused on the treatment of government school students, who he said were being forced to travel to far-off centres, unlike students from private institutions who were allegedly being accommodated at nearby locations. He maintained that this pattern showed discrimination in the examination process.

He also alleged that private school operators were benefiting financially from the system by first securing preferred centres and then charging students thousands of rupees per paper. According to Ahmed, this arrangement also facilitated cheating through organised means.

The allegations come amid concerns raised by the MQM leader over the functioning of the Board of Secondary Education Karachi and the conduct of matriculation examinations in the city.