logo
Board exams disrupted by power outages, inadequate facilities

Board exams disrupted by power outages, inadequate facilities

Express Tribune10-04-2025

The annual exams for grades IX and X conducted by the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) were marred by inadequate facilities and a lack of proper arrangements. Students had to sit on mats under the open sky due to a shortage of furniture. Many exam centres experienced faulty fans and power outages, adding to the students' discomfort. In the first shift, ninth-grade students appeared for the computer science exam, while in the second shift, exams for Urdu, Sindhi, and geography were held.
Power outages were particularly problematic, with several exam centres, including those on Jahangir Road, Jamshaid Road, Lyari, and Orangi, facing prolonged electricity shortages. This not only affected the overall exam environment but also created difficulties for both students and exam staff. In some centres, students were forced to use makeshift chairs arranged by decoration services or had to sit on the floor.
Government Boys Secondary School in Lyari also faced load shedding, which caused problems for students due to intense heat and lack of electricity. The exam centre's atmosphere was negatively affected, with students experiencing headaches, fatigue, and mental distress. Similarly, Government Boys and Girls Secondary School in Orangi experienced disruptions due to power outages, with students taking their exams in hot conditions without fans.
Government Boys Secondary School on Jahangir Road and Government Girls Secondary School on Jamshaid Road also reported power outages. Students stated that the electricity went out shortly after the exams began and did not return for two hours. This situation further heightened students' anxiety. The exam staff also faced challenges due to the power outage. However, all exams started and ended as scheduled in both shifts.
Load shedding continued for several hours in various areas of Karachi, including Lyari, Orangi, and Bin Qasim Town. Students and staff at the exam centres faced significant difficulties due to the lack of electricity. In addition, the exams were plagued by mismanagement this year. Last-minute changes to exam centres caused distress for students and parents.
Sources claim that certain elements within the board have taken control of the exam system, leading to irregularities in arrangements. Parents and teachers have demanded that the electricity supply be ensured during exam hours to provide a better environment for students. They also urged the BSEK administration to immediately address these irregularities and implement reforms to prevent such issues in future exams.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Board of Secondary Education Karachi has expressed concerns over load shedding at various examination centres during the ongoing annual exams. He said that students are facing difficulties due to extreme heat and the lack of electricity, which is affecting their ability to focus on their exams.
The Chairman appealed to K-Electric's senior officials to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during exam hours, specifically from 9:30am to 12:30pm and 2:30pm to 5:30pm, to help students complete their exams smoothly.
Bags stolen from exam centre
Three students' bags were stolen from KMC School in the Liaquatabad B-1 area, which falls under the Liaquatabad police station, during the matric exams. The students arrived in the morning to take the exam, submitted their bags, and sat down to begin. After the exams concluded, they found their bags missing. The bags contained mobile phones, valuables, wallets, and cash. According to the affected students, the school administration refused to assist them, prompting the students and their parents to protest outside the school. They have demanded that higher authorities take notice of the incident and recover their stolen bags. When contacted, the concerned police station claimed to be unaware of the situation.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

BOOK REVIEW: Breathing new life into Taqi's seminal work
BOOK REVIEW: Breathing new life into Taqi's seminal work

Business Recorder

time22-05-2025

  • Business Recorder

BOOK REVIEW: Breathing new life into Taqi's seminal work

The English translation of The Future of Civilization, originally penned in 1980 by distinguished scholar Syed Mohammad Taqi, is a remarkable literary achievement— masterfully rendered by his granddaughter, Sumera Naqvi. Over the course of three dedicated years, Sumera Naqvi has breathed new life into this profound work, making it accessible to a global audience while preserving the original script's intellectual rigor and poetic depth. Syed Mohammad Taqi himself was a prolific translator, having brought numerous seminal works of philosophy, economics, and science into Urdu. In addition to Das Kapital by Karl Marx, John Dewey's Democracy and Education, Alfred North Whitehead's The Aims of Education, and Sir James Jeans' The Mysterious Universe, he translated several other important works to enrich Urdu literature and academic discourse. His commitment to bridging cultural and linguistic divides is now beautifully reciprocated through Sumera Naqvi's meticulous translation of his own magnum opus. What sets this translation apart is its seamless flow and natural cadence—so much so that readers unfamiliar with the book's history would scarcely realize it is a translation. Sumera Naqvi's command over English, combined with her deep understanding of her grandfather's vision and philosophy, ensures that the text resonates as though originally composed in English. The clarity of expression, the elegance of prose, and the faithful conveyance of complex ideas all testify to her exceptional skill. I am sure that cultural differences played a significant role in shaping the translation process for Sumera Naqvi, presenting both challenges and opportunities as she worked to translate The Future of Civilization from Urdu into English. The original text is deeply embedded in South Asian cultural, religious, and historical contexts, which may be unfamiliar to many English-speaking readers. Sumera Naqvi had to carefully interpret and convey these references in a way that preserved their meaning without alienating readers unfamiliar with the cultural background. This often required adding subtle explanations or choosing equivalent concepts that resonate across cultures. Urdu, with its rich poetic tradition, contains idioms, metaphors, and expressions that do not have direct equivalents in English. She needed to find creative ways to translate these phrases so that the emotional and aesthetic impact remained intact, while ensuring clarity and natural flow in English. The book discusses Islamic civilization, philosophy, and religious symbolism extensively. Translating these ideas demanded sensitivity to avoid misinterpretation or oversimplification, especially since certain concepts carry layered meanings within the original cultural and religious framework. She had to balance fidelity to the source with accessibility for a diverse, potentially secular readership. The tone and rhetorical style of Urdu academic and philosophical writing can differ significantly from English conventions. Sumera Naqvi had to adapt the prose to meet the expectations of English-speaking readers while retaining the author's authoritative and reflective voice, ensuring the text felt both authentic and approachable. One of the key themes of the book is the universality of civilizational dialogue and shared human values. Her translation had to maintain the cultural specificity of the original work while highlighting its universal messages—striking a delicate balance between honouring the unique cultural identity of the source and making the ideas globally relevant. The translation not only preserves the intellectual essence of the original but also captures its emotional and cultural nuances. This delicate balance allows readers to fully engage with Syed Mohammad Taqi's timeless reflections on civilization, culture, and dialogue without the barriers often posed by translated texts. This translation is a testament to both the enduring relevance of Syed Mohammad Taqi's work and the remarkable talent of Sumera Naqvi as a translator. It stands as a bridge between generations, languages, and cultures—inviting a wider audience to partake in a vital conversation about the future of humanity. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Only 8% of Mohenjo Daro excavated
Only 8% of Mohenjo Daro excavated

Express Tribune

time14-04-2025

  • Express Tribune

Only 8% of Mohenjo Daro excavated

Renowned historian and researcher Prof Dr Ghulam Mustafa Shar has revealed that only eight per cent of the ancient archaeological site Mohenjo Daro has been excavated, with the vast majority still unexplored. He made these remarks during a lecture at the University of Sindh's Institute of Sindhology in Jamshoro. The event was organised in collaboration with the M H Panhwar Institute of Studies. Dr Shar highlighted the immense potential for new discoveries through further excavation. He added that Mohenjo Daro is not merely a site of historical interest, but a treasure trove of ancient knowledge and cultural sophistication. "Mohenjo Daro isn't just an archaeological site; it is a living archive of knowledge that reflects the grandeur, intellect, and cultural brilliance of ancient Sindh," he added. Challenging conventional views, Dr Shar argued that the language of Mohenjo Daro was neither Dravidian nor related to any known script but was a unique local language that remains undeciphered. He called for a re-evaluation of the site's historical importance, highlighting its advanced system of knowledge, technical education, social structure, and trade networks. He urged the government to allocate increased funding for scientific research at the site and advocated for global recognition of Mohenjo Daro's significance as a centre of ancient learning and innovation. Speaking at the same event, University of Sindh Vice Chancellor Dr Khalilur Rehman Khoumbhati lamented the lack of academic research into Sindh's history, particularly its post-partition period. He pointed to a shortage of credible reference material and stressed the need for collaborative research efforts. Dr Khoumbhati called upon the Sindh Culture Department to take a more active role in promoting historical scholarship. He also announced that, in partnership with the Abdul Majid Bhurgri Institute, efforts are underway to preserve and promote the Sindhi language in the era of artificial intelligence. As part of these initiatives, the University of Sindh will begin issuing academic degrees in both English and Sindhi. Although the policy for bilingual degrees had previously been approved, it had not been implemented until now, he said. The lecture was attended by a number of prominent scholars and academics, including Director of the Institute of Sindhology Ghulam Murtaza Siyal, former Vice Chancellor of the Shaheed Allah Bakhsh Soomro University of Art, Design and Heritage Dr Bhai Khan Shar, Dr Fayaz Latif Chandio, Dr Riazat Buriro, Dr Wazir Ali Baloch, Prof Dr Lachhman Das Dhomeja, and Sajid Qayoom Memon, among synchronised campaign of digital disinformation using a Chinese social media platform to undermine China's $65 billion investment is a clear act of hybrid warfare. CPEC is a lifeline for Pakistan's economy and the flagship project of China's massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and any threat to this colossal project should be a joint responsibility. There is a need for collaborative efforts in different domains to counter the weaponization of TikTok by Baloch groups. On the diplomatic level, Pakistan should engage with China to raise concerns regarding the exploitation of TikTok's algorithm against CPEC. The two countries can set up a joint "tech task force" to oversee all CPEC-related digital security matters and coordinate a joint response. On operational level, joint intelligence-sharing mechanisms could be established to track and analyse the origin and spread of anti-CPEC content. For this purpose, cyber surveillance capabilities should be enhanced to monitor radical online activities in real time. The two countries should also collaborate on academic research to study hybrid warfare, digital propaganda, and their implications for national security. They can engage pro-CPEC influencers to blunt extremist narratives besides establishing partnerships with fact-checking organisations to debunk fake news and disinformation campaigns against CPEC. On the monitoring front, efforts should be made to identify and expose foreign digital interference aimed at magnifying anti-CPEC sentiments. Relentless attribution of hostile actors - whether state or non-state - should be made part of the national cyber defence strategy. On the part of TikTok, a local content moderation team should be set up in Pakistan to flag and take down harmful content swiftly. Accounts affiliated with banned groups such as BLA and BYC should be identified and blocked in coordination with Pakistani authorities. AI-driven tools could also be implemented to detect and neutralise emerging digital threats against CPEC. On China's part, effective steps need to be taken to address the algorithmic vulnerabilities of TikTok, ensuring that it doesn't amplify radical or anti-CPEC narratives.

Board exams disrupted by power outages, inadequate facilities
Board exams disrupted by power outages, inadequate facilities

Express Tribune

time10-04-2025

  • Express Tribune

Board exams disrupted by power outages, inadequate facilities

The annual exams for grades IX and X conducted by the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) were marred by inadequate facilities and a lack of proper arrangements. Students had to sit on mats under the open sky due to a shortage of furniture. Many exam centres experienced faulty fans and power outages, adding to the students' discomfort. In the first shift, ninth-grade students appeared for the computer science exam, while in the second shift, exams for Urdu, Sindhi, and geography were held. Power outages were particularly problematic, with several exam centres, including those on Jahangir Road, Jamshaid Road, Lyari, and Orangi, facing prolonged electricity shortages. This not only affected the overall exam environment but also created difficulties for both students and exam staff. In some centres, students were forced to use makeshift chairs arranged by decoration services or had to sit on the floor. Government Boys Secondary School in Lyari also faced load shedding, which caused problems for students due to intense heat and lack of electricity. The exam centre's atmosphere was negatively affected, with students experiencing headaches, fatigue, and mental distress. Similarly, Government Boys and Girls Secondary School in Orangi experienced disruptions due to power outages, with students taking their exams in hot conditions without fans. Government Boys Secondary School on Jahangir Road and Government Girls Secondary School on Jamshaid Road also reported power outages. Students stated that the electricity went out shortly after the exams began and did not return for two hours. This situation further heightened students' anxiety. The exam staff also faced challenges due to the power outage. However, all exams started and ended as scheduled in both shifts. Load shedding continued for several hours in various areas of Karachi, including Lyari, Orangi, and Bin Qasim Town. Students and staff at the exam centres faced significant difficulties due to the lack of electricity. In addition, the exams were plagued by mismanagement this year. Last-minute changes to exam centres caused distress for students and parents. Sources claim that certain elements within the board have taken control of the exam system, leading to irregularities in arrangements. Parents and teachers have demanded that the electricity supply be ensured during exam hours to provide a better environment for students. They also urged the BSEK administration to immediately address these irregularities and implement reforms to prevent such issues in future exams. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Board of Secondary Education Karachi has expressed concerns over load shedding at various examination centres during the ongoing annual exams. He said that students are facing difficulties due to extreme heat and the lack of electricity, which is affecting their ability to focus on their exams. The Chairman appealed to K-Electric's senior officials to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during exam hours, specifically from 9:30am to 12:30pm and 2:30pm to 5:30pm, to help students complete their exams smoothly. Bags stolen from exam centre Three students' bags were stolen from KMC School in the Liaquatabad B-1 area, which falls under the Liaquatabad police station, during the matric exams. The students arrived in the morning to take the exam, submitted their bags, and sat down to begin. After the exams concluded, they found their bags missing. The bags contained mobile phones, valuables, wallets, and cash. According to the affected students, the school administration refused to assist them, prompting the students and their parents to protest outside the school. They have demanded that higher authorities take notice of the incident and recover their stolen bags. When contacted, the concerned police station claimed to be unaware of the situation.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store