The Karachi Secondary Education Board has decided in principle to abandon its planned e-marking system for this year’s matric examinations, following administrative failures and allegations of corruption in its previous management.
As a result, nearly 175,000 matric students will now have their examination papers checked manually instead of through the digital assessment system originally introduced for Class X mathematics and computer science papers.
The decision comes after former board chairman Muhammad Hussain Sohu stepped down amid corruption allegations and an inquiry into irregularities within the board.
Sources said special answer sheets worth around Rs25 million had already been printed for the e-marking project. These sheets, designed for scanning and digital evaluation, cost between Rs70 and Rs80 each, compared to the usual Rs28 to Rs30 per copy.
More than 350,000 answer sheets were reportedly printed for just two subjects, but they will now be manually assessed as the digital system was never fully implemented.
Officials revealed that the IT company hired for the project was never formally engaged to test or fully operate the software, despite the board spending around Rs18 million on its procurement.
The situation worsened due to the absence of training sessions for teachers, leaving examiners unable to use the digital marking tools.
Board sources said efforts are now being made to introduce e-marking for Class IX subjects, starting with teacher training workshops. However, due to the June 30 deadline for matric results and a shortage of trained staff, implementing the system for Class X this year has been ruled out.
Meanwhile, although an inquiry report recommended the removal of the controller of examinations and the provincial minister for universities and boards reportedly approved the findings, no official notification has yet been issued.
Karachi board should be completely shut down for the sake of our sindh children .full of corruption fake grades