KARACHI: The Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) announced on Monday the postponement of matriculation exams scheduled from May 21 to May 27 in response to a severe heatwave warning issued for Sindh. The decision aims to ensure the safety and well-being of students during the extreme weather conditions.
A notification from the BSEK, released a day earlier, highlighted warnings from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) about a significant heatwave expected to impact the province next week.
“Annual examinations for classes 9th and 10th Science and General group, both regular and private, scheduled from May 21 to May 27 have been postponed,” the notification stated. However, exams scheduled for May 28 will proceed as planned, according to Sindh Minister for Universities and Boards, Muhammad Ali Malkani. The new dates for the postponed exams will be announced later.
The postponement follows a similar decision by the Sindh government to delay annual intermediate examinations due to the heatwave forecast. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that a severe heatwave will affect major cities and plain areas of Punjab and Sindh from May 21 to May 27.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah approved the five-day delay after receiving a recommendation from the minister for universities. A formal notification confirming the date changes was issued following the directive.
The PMD forecasts that a high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere will cause heatwave conditions across most of the country, particularly in Punjab and Sindh, with temperatures expected to soar 6-8 degrees Celsius above normal from May 21. The intensity of the heatwave is anticipated to peak between May 23 and May 27.
Other regions, including Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan, are also expected to experience elevated day temperatures, ranging 4-6 degrees Celsius above normal during the same period.
Authorities have urged residents to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the extreme heat, including staying hydrated and avoiding outdoor activities during peak temperatures.