In a shocking incident, 170 students were absent from their SSC Computer Science exam at Fatimiyah Boys School. Parents blame sudden center changes, while authorities investigate.
KARACHI: A strange and concerning incident took place during the ongoing Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations in Karachi, leaving parents, students, and education officials puzzled.
On Monday, April 8, 170 students were scheduled to appear for their Computer Science paper at the examination center Fatimiyah Boys School, Barto Road (Board Office Code: B-18036), However, in an unusual turn of events, not a single student showed up for the exam. The exam center superintendent immediately reported the mass absence to the Controller of Examinations, Matriculation Board, raising serious questions about what went wrong.
What Happened?
The Matriculation Board Examination Vigilance Team and the Students Parents Federation are now investigating why all 170 students missed their crucial exam. There may have been a last-minute change in the examination center, a problem that has plagued Karachi’s education system for years.
School Informs Board via Official Letter
The management of Fatimiyah Boys School, Barto Road has officially reported the incident to the Karachi Matriculation Board through a written letter. In the letter, the school confirmed that all 170 students were marked absent for the Computer Science exam and requested an immediate investigation into the matter. The board has acknowledged the complaint and assured parents that action will be taken after reviewing the case.
Parents Speak Out – Anger and Confusion
Parents took to social media to express their frustration. Syed Rashid, a distressed father, shared his ordeal:
“This is sheer incompetence by the Board. My child’s exam center was changed at the last moment. When I dropped my child at the school, they were turned away twice, being told, ‘Your papers won’t be taken here.’ Only after protests by some teachers were the children allowed to sit in the school. Otherwise, they would have been forced to take the exam in the school grounds—or worse, not at all!”
Another citizen, Zakir Ali, speculated:
“Maybe the school didn’t allow cheating, so the authorities shifted the center. But poor administration of school had no idea—they kept waiting all day, confused and helpless.”
A Recurring Problem in Karachi Board Exams
This is not the first time such an incident has happened. The Karachi Board has a history of suddenly changing exam centers, causing chaos for students and parents. Many believe that such mismanagement puts unnecessary stress on children who are already under exam pressure.
What’s Next?
The Matriculation Board has been urged to take immediate action. Parents are demanding:
- A proper investigation into why 170 students missed their exam.
- Compensation or re-examination for affected students.
- Strict measures to prevent last-minute center changes in the future.
For now, the fate of these 170 students hangs in the balance. The incident has once again exposed the deep flaws in Karachi’s examination system, leaving many to wonder: When will the authorities take student welfare seriously?
