In a significant move to streamline educational services, the Sindh Government has launched a one-window facilitation center at the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK). The new center, inaugurated by Provincial Minister for Universities and Boards Muhammad Ali Malkani, aims to provide students with educational documents within an hour.
Minister Malkani emphasized the government’s commitment to reforming the examination system, minimizing human intervention, and leveraging technology for efficiency.
“We are rapidly reforming the examination system and will try to minimize human intervention,” he stated at the inauguration.
Key officials, including Secretary of Universities and Boards Muhammad Abbas Baloch, Additional Secretary Abrar Ahmad Jafar, Chairman of Inter Board Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Project Director Rizwan Soomro, and Director P&D Zulfiqar Ali Kandharo, were present at the event.
The new Students’ Facilitation Center is set to revolutionize the way students access their educational documents. Minister Malkani’s visit to the OMR section highlighted the upcoming implementation of the OMR and E-marking systems, slated for annual examinations in 2025. He was briefed by Chairman Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah about the new systems, observed the processes closely, and issued directives for further enhancements.
Chairman Zulfiqar Ali Shah highlighted the inefficiency of requiring multiple past educational documents for various certificates. “It is a waste of students’ time and money because all the records are with the board,” he said.
The new system will now use a student’s roll number and ID card to extract verified records, simplifying the process to just one form.
Minister Malkani underscored the shift towards technology in all educational boards of Sindh to eliminate issues like ill-checking, favoritism, and nepotism.
He announced the plan to conduct the next examination in March, pending a meeting with the Steering Committee of the Education and Literacy Department to finalize the implementation strategy.
The introduction of the OMR and E-marking system is set for August 2025, with training programs for teachers and students scheduled ahead of the transition.
“We will ensure that exam copies are checked under the E-marking system from 2025,” Malkani confirmed.
He also announced the upcoming renovation of the BIEK library to better serve students.
Addressing legal and administrative issues, Minister Malkani acknowledged the court-ordered removal of the former board chairman and the ongoing legal complications regarding permanent recruitment for various posts.
He assured that the Department of Universities and Boards is working with legal advisors to resolve these issues promptly.
In response to inquiries about the Matriculation Board investigation, Malkani stated, “It is injustice to remove someone from the post without an inquiry. The Department of Universities and Boards will not take any action that will bring us into disrepute.”
He also mentioned the increase in the age limit for the appointment of Vice-Chancellor at the Law University from 62 to 65 years to attract more qualified candidates.
Handout (Saeed Memon)
