Islamic Studies Paper
The annual examinations for 9th and 10th-grade students officially began today in Karachi and other cities across Pakistan, marking a significant event for approximately 375,000 students.
The Secondary Education Board has worked diligently to ensure a smooth start, implementing various measures aimed at maintaining exam integrity and security.
However, the commencement of these exams has been overshadowed by concerns over a significant leak of the 10th-grade Islamic Studies paper before the exams began.
This breach has cast a shadow over the examination process, raising serious doubts about the effectiveness of measures put in place to prevent cheating.
The incident occurred in the Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where copies of the leaked paper were reportedly found in local photocopy shops, creating an atmosphere of unfair advantage for some students.
The Kohat Board, under which Karak falls, has 100,000 students enrolled across 319 examination centers, and despite the best efforts of the board’s officials to maintain exam integrity, this leak threatens to undermine the credibility of the entire examination process.
In Karachi, where a total of 499 examination centers have been set up, a more organized approach has been implemented. The centers are spread across 18 towns, with a distribution of 256 centers for boys and 243 for girls.
The Secondary Education Board has taken strict precautions to avoid any cheating, including the introduction of computerized online admit cards for all students.
A security team is in place to monitor the paper distribution process, and efforts have been made to ensure that no mobile phones are brought into the exam centers. Violators will have their phones confiscated.
The board has also requested the enforcement of Section 144 around the examination centers to avoid any external disruptions. In addition, photocopying services have been shut down during the examination period to prevent the illegal circulation of exam papers.
A reporting cell has been established to oversee the process, ensuring that any attempts at cheating are immediately reported and dealt with.
To ensure a smooth experience for students, the board has made arrangements for uninterrupted electricity supply from K-Electric, and students have been given flexibility regarding their arrival times at the centers, taking into account potential delays.
Despite these measures, the leak of the Islamic Studies paper has sparked concerns about the board’s overall management and its ability to uphold exam integrity. This leak is particularly concerning given the scale of the event, with over 380,000 students scheduled to sit for the 2025 exams.
Chairman Ghulam Hussain Seho emphasized the board’s efforts to eliminate cheating, including working closely with security forces and shutting down local photocopy shops.
However, the growing scrutiny over the integrity of the exams raises critical questions about the need for enhanced safeguards in future assessments.
