Widespread cheating mars Sindh school examinations

Questions are emerging about the transparency of examinations in Sindh as thousands of students appear for tests amid widespread allegations of cheating, reportedly due to poor monitoring and weak surveillance systems, according to reports on Wednesday.

In several districts, including Jacobabad, Ghotki, and Ubaro, students allegedly received solved versions of leaked papers through WhatsApp groups, with some reportedly paying for access, highlighting systemic malpractice.

Inside examination centers, candidates openly used mobile phones to complete their papers, despite repeated warnings from authorities promising strict action against cheating and paper leaks.

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In Jacobabad, students reportedly used phones freely in exam halls without any intervention. In Ubaro and Ghotki, the ninth-grade chemistry paper, conducted under the Larkana Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, was leaked, with local authorities failing to take any corrective measures.

Meanwhile, in Naushahro Feroze, the tenth-grade Urdu paper surfaced prematurely on social media, circulating among students before official distribution, undermining earlier commitments from the education department to ensure transparency.

Reports indicate that the chemistry paper was shared on WhatsApp prior to the scheduled exam, allowing candidates to use mobile phones without fear of repercussions.

Across Sindh, more than 1.35 million students from grades nine to twelve are set to appear in exams starting April 7, with over 1,600 centers established across multiple divisions. Authorities face mounting pressure to ensure proper oversight and restore confidence in the examination process.