Matric students in limbo ahead of exams

Delay in model papers sparks anxiety among students, teachers

KARACHI:

With less than six weeks remaining before the expected start of the 2026 matriculation examinations, nearly one million Class IX and X students across Sindh are grappling with uncertainty due to delays in the release of model question papers under the newly introduced Uniform Examination Syllabus (UES).

The Sindh School Education Department recently overhauled the matric examination system, shifting to a Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)-based assessment framework. However, despite the policy change, the official model papers outlining the structure and pattern of the new exams have yet to be issued. As a result, thousands of secondary school teachers across the province are unable to guide students, while candidates preparing for the annual examinations remain unaware of the format, marking scheme, and structure of their question papers. The uncertainty has also created concern within examination boards responsible for conducting the tests.

The responsibility for issuing the Class IX and X model papers lies with the Sindh Secondary Education Improvement Project (SSEIP), a subsidiary body of the School Education Department. Official Atta Hussain Lakho explained that delays have occurred because intermediate-level examination papers are also being prepared under the Uniform Examination Syllabus by another subsidiary institution, the Directorate of Curriculum, Assessment and Research (DCAR). He added that some intermediate subjects are also being shifted to an SLO-based pattern, and their model papers are still awaited.

"An important meeting is scheduled for Friday," Lakho said. "Following that, the model papers will be uploaded online."

It is noteworthy that the 2026 matric annual examinations are expected to be held in March, leaving only about one and a half months for preparation.