The annual examinations for 9th and 10th grades officially commenced today in Karachi and various other cities across the country. However, despite efforts to curb cheating in the matriculation exams, the leak of the 10th grade Islamic Studies paper in advance has raised serious concerns.

The Kurram District and North Waziristan have postponed exams, affecting thousands of students and raising fears of a lost academic year.

In Karachi, the Secondary Education Board has launched this year’s examinations with 375,000 students participating.

All candidates have received computerized online admit cards. Essential examination materials have been delivered to centers, and officials are monitoring the paper distribution to ensure security during the exams.

A total of 499 examination centers have been established for the students, comprising 256 centers for boys and 243 for girls, distributed across 18 towns in the city. Students have been cautioned against bringing mobile phones, as violations will lead to confiscation.

The board has also requested the enforcement of Section 144 around examination centers to prevent external disruptions and has shut down photocopying services during the examinations. A dedicated reporting cell has been set up to oversee the monitoring process, with teams in place to curb cheating and compile daily reports.

To ensure a smooth examination experience, the board has sought uninterrupted electricity supply from KElectric. Students will have flexibility in arriving at their designated centers, allowing for convenience amid potential delays.

Chairman of the Matriculation Board, Ghulam Hussain Seho, assured that all arrangements are in place for the participation of 380,000 students in the 2025 annual exams. He emphasized efforts to eliminate cheating, including the closure of nearby photocopy shops and cooperation with security forces.

Meanwhile, in the Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, examination integrity has been compromised, as the Islamic Studies paper was leaked ahead of the exams, with copies found available at local photocopy shops.

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Chairman of the Kohat Board, Imtiaz Ayub, reported that 100,000 students are participating in the exams across 319 centers, with proper supervision in place.

Despite these measures, the leak has raised questions about the effectiveness of the strategies to combat cheating and the board’s overall management.