A serious issue has emerged with the recent announcements by Intermediate Boards across Pakistan, revealing personal information of students in an alarming breach of privacy.
In a disturbing oversight, the Boards not only disclosed the names of top-performing students but also published their home addresses and mobile numbers, with particular concern for female students. This breach has raised significant concerns about the safety and privacy of these young individuals, exposing them to potential risks such as harassment and scams.
The release of such sensitive information has sparked widespread criticism over the Boards’ mishandling of student data. In a country where privacy and social norms are crucial, the exposure of personal details, especially of female students, presents serious risks including unwanted attention and harassment.
Compounding the issue, the Karachi Board’s recent release of matric exam results has added to students’ frustrations. Students experienced confusion and distress as discrepancies in the results on the Board’s website led to drastic changes in their scores. For instance, one student’s score dropped from 715 to zero upon rechecking, while another’s initial score of 700 was suddenly marked as a failure. The results, which were initially due in July, were delayed until the Department of Boards and Universities mandated their release by August 30.