BSEK chairman resigns after report recommends suspension over matric exam mismanagement

KARACHI: Ghulam Hussain Soho has resigned as chairman of the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) after a committee report recommended his suspension over alleged irregularities and mismanagement during the ongoing matric examinations in the city.

Soho submitted his resignation late on Monday to Universities and Boards Department Secretary Abbas Baloch. The resignation came after he learned that an inquiry committee had advised that he be suspended from his post.

The committee had been formed on the directives of Sindh Universities and Boards Minister Muhammad Ismail Rahoo. Its report stated that the BSEK administrator made changes to 170 examination centres during the matric examinations currently under way in Karachi.

The report also recommended suspension of the BSEK chairman. After learning of that recommendation, Soho stepped down.

Resignation submitted after inquiry findings

The development follows controversy surrounding the conduct of the Karachi matric examinations, with the inquiry focusing on administrative decisions taken during the examination process.

Cited in the report, Soho said in his resignation that he had attempted to introduce reforms at the board. These, he wrote, included the complete automation of the system, online payments, a grievance redressal system, and training of examination staff.

Committee formed on minister’s directives

The inquiry committee was constituted on the instructions of Sindh Universities and Boards Minister Muhammad Ismail Rahoo. It completed its report after examining allegations linked to the management of the matric examinations.

The BSEK administrator altered 170 examination centres during the ongoing exams. It was this finding, along with the recommendation that the chairman be suspended, that preceded Soho’s resignation.

The resignation marks a significant development for the Karachi secondary education board at a time when the matric examination process has come under scrutiny.

A committee formed on the directives of Sindh Universities and Boards Minister Muhammad Ismail Rahoo has completed its report, revealing that BSEK’s administrator made changes to 170 examination centres during the ongoing matric examinations.

The same report said that the committee also recommended that the BSEK chairman be suspended. Following that recommendation, Soho resigned before any formal suspension order was issued.

In his resignation, as cited by sources, Soho maintained that he had worked to improve the functioning of the board through administrative and technological reforms, including automation, online fee payment, a complaint-handling mechanism, and staff training.