The annual matriculation exams have begun across various education boards in Sindh, including Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Kandiaro.
These exams cover classes 9 and 10 and are managed by their respective education boards. However, concerns about cheating and exam malpractice have emerged from the start.
In Sukkur, Ghotki, and Khairpur, over 105,077 male and female students are taking part in the exams organized by the Sukkur Secondary Education Board. Board Chairman Rafiq Palh made unannounced visits to several exam centers and caught more than 10 students cheating.
Despite the board’s efforts, worries about cheating persist. Videos showing students copying in various exam centers have been spreading on social media.
The Sukkur board has set up 200 exam centers and formed 30 teams to monitor them. The first English exam for class 9 students took place today, while class 10 students had Urdu and Easy Sindhi exams in the afternoon.
The Larkana Education Board created 172 exam centers across its division and formed 42 teams to prevent cheating. However, reports suggest that cheating still occurred, with the district administration officials keeping a close eye on the situation.
In Mirpurkhas, 96 exam centers were established for more than 62,800 students from classes 9 and 10. Despite measures to stop cheating, reports indicate that some students obtained solved papers via mobile phones, posing a challenge to exam integrity.
The board chairman mentioned that 12 vigilance teams, led by the controller of examinations, would oversee the exams. He also requested the enforcement of Section 144 around exam centers, allowing law enforcement to step in if needed.
In Kandiaro, which is under the Shaheed Benazirabad Board, the first Urdu paper leaked within 10 minutes, raising questions about exam security. This paper was supposed to run from 9 a.m. to noon.
Additionally, despite attempts to keep photocopy shops near the exam centers closed, reports show that question papers and answers were still being sold, casting doubt on the integrity of the exams.
As the exams continue, the education boards and authorities are urged to act quickly to combat cheating and ensure a fair examination process for all students.
