The Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) has postponed the ninth and matric exams scheduled from May 21-27 due to an anticipated heatwave in Sindh. This decision follows a heatwave alert from the National Disaster Management Authority and Provincial Disaster Management Authority.
According to a notification from BSEK, the exams will now resume from May 28, 2024, as per the original timetable, with a revised schedule for the postponed papers to be announced later. The postponement was ordered by Sindh Minister for Universities and Boards, Muhammad Ali Malkani.
This announcement comes a day after the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) postponed its exams, which were set to start on May 22. These exams have also been deferred until May 27 due to the heatwave in Sindh. The decision to delay the intermediate exams was approved by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, following a recommendation from Minister Malkani.
A spokesperson for the Chief Minister confirmed that the Universities and Boards Department adjusted the exam dates according to CM Shah’s directives.
Karachi has been experiencing intense heat for the past few weeks, and temperatures are expected to rise further over the next ten days. Weather expert Jawad Memon predicts that temperatures in the city will range between 38 to 40°C, but will feel like 42°C due to high humidity.
Memon also stated that the ongoing heat spell will likely continue and possibly worsen, with no rainfall expected in Karachi for the next five to seven days.