The Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) has come under fire for delays and poor handling of Class IX results for the Science and General groups, leaving over 175,000 students uncertain about their performance. The board released only pass or fail statuses without disclosing subject-wise or total marks, leaving students unable to calculate their overall percentages or rankings. The announcement, which was expected to be accompanied by detailed mark sheets, has instead caused widespread confusion and frustration among students, parents, and educators alike. BSEK has said that detailed mark sheets will be available in two weeks, further prolonging the anxiety of thousands of students.
The issue has sparked significant criticism, particularly because it coincided with a meeting of Karachi’s education boards aimed at promoting the digitalisation of academic assessments. Ironically, BSEK Chairman Ghulam Hussain Saho attended discussions on e-marking and computer-based evaluations at the same time his board failed to deliver even basic digital transparency in result publication. Educationists have pointed out that other examination bodies, including Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) and Punjab boards, issue provisional mark sheets alongside results, ensuring clarity and immediate access to detailed performance data. The absence of such a system in Karachi highlights what many have described as outdated and mismanaged administrative processes within BSEK.
Internal reports indicate further lapses in leadership and technical management. Sources within BSEK revealed that soon after the results were released, IT Manager Muhammad Irfan accompanied the chairman to Islamabad, leaving newly hired IT analyst Sain Dad without the necessary authority or support to manage technical issues. Controller of Examinations Hamza Tagar, who took office only three months ago, acknowledged the internal disarray, stating that the IT team had been questioned and that the board was working to resolve the matter within a week. However, students and parents remain sceptical, pointing to years of unfulfilled promises around digital reform and transparency in the examination process.
Further investigation revealed deeper issues with BSEK’s much-publicised e-marking initiative. The mathematics papers for the Class IX Science Group, initially intended for digital assessment, were instead marked manually after the board failed to establish the necessary logistics and infrastructure. Despite substantial investments in e-marking-compatible answer sheets and related technologies, the process was never operationalised. Educationists argue that the failure of e-marking not only undermines public trust but also reflects an inefficient use of public funds that were allocated for digital transformation in education. Haider Ali, Chairman of the All Private Schools and Colleges Association, expressed disappointment, noting that Punjab’s boards issue provisional mark sheets immediately, while Karachi’s students remain deprived of even their total scores.
The BSEK situation has reignited debate over Pakistan’s slow progress in digitalising public education administration. Despite official meetings and investments in e-assessment systems, the gap between policy discussions and actual implementation remains wide. Education experts are calling for stronger accountability measures and improved technical oversight to ensure that future initiatives in digital education deliver tangible benefits for students. Meanwhile, students continue to wait for clarity on their marks and academic standings, hoping that promised reforms will eventually translate into transparent and efficient processes that align with national digitalisation goals.
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