Heatwave in Sindh: BSEK postpones ninth, matric exams scheduled for May 21-27

The Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) on Monday postponed the ninth and matric exams from May 21-27 due to an expected heatwave expected to hit Sindh.

A notification issued by the board stated that the decision has been taken in view of the heatwave alert issued by the National Disaster Management Authority and Provincial Disaster Management Authority.

“It is further informed that the said examination will now be continued with effect from 28th May, 2024 as per schedule. The revised schedule of postponed papers will be issued later on,” read the notification issued by the board.

The decision was taken as per the orders of Sindh Minister for Universities and Boards Muhammad Ali Malkani.

The notification of the postponement of matric exams was issued a day after the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) exams announced that exams slated to start on May 22 have been deferred for five days till May 27 in the wake of heatwave in Sindh.

The postponement of the intermediate exams was approved by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday, as recommended by Sindh Minister Malkani.

A spokesperson of CM said that the Universities and Boards Department changed the date for intermediate exams as per CM Shah’s directives.

Karachiites have been left sweltering due to the current heat spell that has gripped the metropolis for the past few weeks and a significant rise in temperatures is expected during the next 10 days.

Weather expert Jawad Memon has said that the mercury in the city may stay between 38 to 40°C which will “feel like” 42°C to high humidity levels.

Stressing that the prevailing heat spell in the metropolis will continue and might in fact see a further increase in temperatures, he ruled out the possibility of rains in the megalopolis for the next five to seven days.