The annual exams for grades IX and X conducted by the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) were marred by inadequate facilities and a lack of proper arrangements. Students had to sit on mats under the open sky due to a shortage of furniture. Many exam centres experienced faulty fans and power outages, adding to the students' discomfort. In the first shift, ninth-grade students appeared for the computer science exam, while in the second shift, exams for Urdu, Sindhi, and geography were held.
Power outages were particularly problematic, with several exam centres, including those on Jahangir Road, Jamshaid Road, Lyari, and Orangi, facing prolonged electricity shortages. This not only affected the overall exam environment but also created difficulties for both students and exam staff. In some centres, students were forced to use makeshift chairs arranged by decoration services or had to sit on the floor.
Government Boys Secondary School in Lyari also faced load shedding, which caused problems for students due to intense heat and lack of electricity. The exam centre's atmosphere was negatively affected, with students experiencing headaches, fatigue, and mental distress. Similarly, Government Boys and Girls Secondary School in Orangi experienced disruptions due to power outages, with students taking their exams in hot conditions without fans.
Government Boys Secondary School on Jahangir Road and Government Girls Secondary School on Jamshaid Road also reported power outages. Students stated that the electricity went out shortly after the exams began and did not return for two hours. This situation further heightened students' anxiety. The exam staff also faced challenges due to the power outage. However, all exams started and ended as scheduled in both shifts.
Load shedding continued for several hours in various areas of Karachi, including Lyari, Orangi, and Bin Qasim Town. Students and staff at the exam centres faced significant difficulties due to the lack of electricity. In addition, the exams were plagued by mismanagement this year. Last-minute changes to exam centres caused distress for students and parents.
Sources claim that certain elements within the board have taken control of the exam system, leading to irregularities in arrangements. Parents and teachers have demanded that the electricity supply be ensured during exam hours to provide a better environment for students. They also urged the BSEK administration to immediately address these irregularities and implement reforms to prevent such issues in future exams.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Board of Secondary Education Karachi has expressed concerns over load shedding at various examination centres during the ongoing annual exams. He said that students are facing difficulties due to extreme heat and the lack of electricity, which is affecting their ability to focus on their exams.
The Chairman appealed to K-Electric's senior officials to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during exam hours, specifically from 9:30am to 12:30pm and 2:30pm to 5:30pm, to help students complete their exams smoothly.
Bags stolen from exam centre
Three students' bags were stolen from KMC School in the Liaquatabad B-1 area, which falls under the Liaquatabad police station, during the matric exams. The students arrived in the morning to take the exam, submitted their bags, and sat down to begin. After the exams concluded, they found their bags missing. The bags contained mobile phones, valuables, wallets, and cash. According to the affected students, the school administration refused to assist them, prompting the students and their parents to protest outside the school. They have demanded that higher authorities take notice of the incident and recover their stolen bags. When contacted, the concerned police station claimed to be unaware of the situation.
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