Karachi Matric Board Mismanagement Puts 350,000 Students’ Futures at Risk

Karachi: Administrative incompetence and internal conflicts at the Karachi Secondary Education Board (Matric Board) have thrown the future of over 350,000 students into uncertainty just days before exams.

Despite exams being imminent, the board has failed to issue admit cards and has not finalized exam centers, leaving students and parents in a state of panic.

Internal Disputes Impact Students

According to senior reporter Safdar Rizvi, a serious dispute arose between the Board Chairman and the former Controller over exam center allocation. The disagreement escalated to the point where the Controller was removed on March 16, but no replacement has been appointed, halting administrative processes. The board’s first attempt to issue digital admit cards also failed due to technical glitches, leaving students unable to download their cards.

Admit Card Crisis Delays Exams
Exam postponement: Exams scheduled from April 10 were delayed by three days due to the admit card crisis.
Chaos at the board office: Thousands of students, parents, and school representatives gathered at the board office, creating a chaotic scene.
Students still waiting: Around 100,000–150,000 students have yet to receive their admit cards or know their exam centers.
Cheating Concerns Rise

Experts warn that with exam centers undecided and vigilance teams not formed, cheating syndicates may exploit the situation. Delivering exam papers across Karachi’s vast districts—including Malir, Landhi, Korangi, Orangi, and Gadap—poses a major logistical challenge. Although papers have watermarks, experts say watermarks may help identify leaks but cannot prevent them.

Parents and Students Alarmed

Traditionally, admit cards were distributed 15 days before exams, but this year, uncertainty prevails just two days prior. Students and parents are under intense mental stress, and questions remain about whether the board can prevent leaks or curb cheating. For now, the board’s performance is under scrutiny, and the future of thousands of students hangs in the balance.