Sindh govt warns cheating students will be barred from future board exams

The Sindh government on Friday warned that students found involved in cheating during matriculation and intermediate examinations will be barred from appearing in future board exams, as authorities intensified measures to ensure transparency in the examination system.

In a joint statement issued via Sindh Information Department on X, Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah and Universities and Boards Minister Muhammad Ismail Rahu said cheating in any form would not be tolerated. They added that examination staff found involved in malpractice would face immediate dismissal from service.

The ministers stated that students caught carrying mobile phones or cheating material would be immediately expelled from examination centres, with their papers cancelled. Such candidates would also be disqualified from the ongoing exams and barred from future board examinations.

The warning comes amid increased scrutiny of matric examinations in Sindh, where issues including delayed exams, late issuance of admit cards, and administrative mismanagement have already prompted official inquiries and reports.

Separately, Rahu conducted a surprise visit to an examination centre at SR Academy in Shah Faisal Colony on Friday, where he took serious notice of irregularities. He ordered immediate action and directed the chairman of the Matric Board to cancel examination centres on the spot, citing violations of examination rules.

Rahu alleged that examination staff were facilitating cheating by allowing students from other schools to have papers solved during the process. He also noted that the number of students at the centre exceeded the approved capacity, describing it as a serious violation.

He ordered strict action against board officials allegedly involved in the transfer and management of examination centres, and directed the cancellation of centres at SR Public Secondary School, Shah Faisal Colony, and SR Public School and College, Saudabad, Malir.

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Reiterating the government’s stance, he said the province was pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against cheating and had already issued strict instructions to all board chairmen. He added that deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, and other district officials had been directed to carry out surprise visits to ensure transparency in examinations.

Meanwhile, the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) issued a show-cause notice to its former acting controller of Examinations, Muhammad Ziaul Haq, over allegations of misconduct, inefficiency, corruption, and dereliction of duty.

According to the notice, the official has been accused of undermining the integrity of the examination system ahead of the SSC Part-I annual examinations 2026, citing gross negligence, abuse of authority, and procedural violations.

The Sindh government had earlier sought reports over delays in examinations and failure to issue admit cards on time. The matter was further escalated following changes in examination centres and administrative lapses.

On April 13, the provincial government again directed the Matric Board to submit a comprehensive report on the issue.

The notice further alleged violations of SOPs and procedural rules, stating that examination centres were allocated in a “non-transparent and arbitrary” manner. It also claimed involvement in manipulation of centre allocations, engagement of unauthorised intermediaries, and acceptance of bribes in exchange for favourable postings.

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Serious allegations of breach of official secrecy were also included, stating that confidential examination information was allegedly disclosed and misused.

The official is further accused of insubordination, failure to perform duties, and remaining absent from office without approval since March 17 during a critical phase of exam preparations.

The notice also alleged attempts to disrupt the examination portal in collaboration with IT officials, contributing to operational disruptions and the postponement of examinations scheduled earlier.

It further stated that due to administrative deficiencies, examinations scheduled for April 7 were postponed to April 10, attributing the delay to alleged failures in execution and oversight.

The controller has been directed to submit a written explanation within seven days, with authorities warning that failure to respond may result in ex parte proceedings.