Jacob Lines Examination Center of Girls Higher Secondary School in Karachi. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/ARCHIVE
KARACHI:
The Provincial Department of Universities and Boards has replaced the Controller of Examinations of the Karachi Board of Secondary Education just four days before the matriculation examinations. Instead of appointing a qualified candidate on merit through an advertisement, Zia-ul-Haq, the outgoing controller, has been replaced by an official from the Larkana Board.
According to a notification issued by the Secretary of Universities and Boards, Ahmed Khan Chhutto has been appointed Controller of Examinations for a period of one year. Ahmed Khan Chhutto previously served as inspector of institutions in Larkana Board and apparently lacks previous experience in conducting examinations. Despite this, he has been posted to the Karachi Board, the largest educational board in the province in terms of student enrollment.
More than 300,000 candidates are appearing for Class 9 and 10 Karachi Board exams, and now the academic future of these students is in the hands of an official with no prior experience in managing such large-scale examinations.
Ahmed Khan Chhutto has reportedly shown interest in serving on Karachi boards in the past. A few months ago, he was also appointed Controller of Examinations at Inter Board Karachi, but faced significant difficulties in taking up the post and eventually returned without commencing his duties. This is the second time he has been appointed to this critical role in the Karachi Matric Board.
The matriculation exams in Karachi are scheduled to begin on April 7 and the process of fixing the center and issuing admit cards is still pending. These important tasks have now been entrusted to a new official with limited experience, raising concerns about the proper conduct of the exams.
