Sindh Government Orders Rescheduling of Board Exams to Accommodate Holy Week and Easter

Sindh Government Orders Rescheduling of Board Exams to Accommodate Holy Week and Easter

The Government of Sindh has directed all educational boards to adjust the upcoming examination schedule, ensuring no tests clash with the observances of Holy Week and Easter for the Christian community.

In a significant move reflecting interfaith harmony and administrative flexibility, the Sindh government has ordered a province-wide adjustment to the schedule of secondary and intermediate board examinations. The directive, issued on February 23, 2026, mandates that all educational boards under its purview reschedule exams to avoid the Holy Week and Easter period , demonstrating a commitment to religious inclusivity for the Christian community in Pakistan.

The Universities and Boards Department of Sindh instructing the chairmen of all educational boards to ensure that no examination papers are conducted from April 2 to April 6, 2026 . This five-day window corresponds with the most solemn period in the Christian calendar, encompassing Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.

The department has explicitly ordered boards to revisit and revise any timetables that may have already been published or circulated. Officials have been directed to submit compliance reports on an urgent basis to confirm the implementation of the new directive. According to the notification, examinations are permitted to resume as normal from April 7, 2026, onward.

Directive from Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah

Official sources confirm that the directive follows specific instructions from the Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah . The Chief Minister’s office emphasized the importance of respecting the religious sentiments and practices of minority communities, leading to the order for a temporary, yet significant, alteration to the academic calendar. This move is seen as a continuation of the provincial government’s policy to foster a sense of belonging and security among all communities in Sindh.

Adjustments to the Pre-Approved Exam Schedule

The order necessitates a revision of the exam schedule recently finalized by the Sindh Education Department’s Steering Committee. Prior to this directive, the committee, led by Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah, had approved a comprehensive plan for the annual examinations.

Under the previously approved timeline:

• Annual matriculation examinations for students of Classes IX and X were slated to begin on March 31st, 2026 , following the Eid holidays.

• Intermediate examinations were scheduled to commence on April 15th, 2026 .

With the new directive, the schedule for the first week of April will need to be reworked. While the start date for Matric exams on March 31 remains unaffected, any papers planned between April 2 and April 6 must now be shifted to later dates. Similarly, the Intermediate schedule, beginning on April 15, will proceed as planned, though the intervening period will now include a break for Easter before the exams commence.

Impact on Students and Educational Boards

The decision affects thousands of students, including a significant number from minority communities, who are appearing for their annual board exams a critical juncture in their academic careers. For Christian students, this means they can participate fully in the religious services and family gatherings associated with Holy Week and Easter without the added stress of impending examinations.

Educational boards across Sindh, including the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK), the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK), and others in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and Mirpurkhas, are now tasked with the logistical challenge of revising their timetables. They must ensure that the new schedule is communicated effectively to all affiliated schools and colleges, and that it maintains a fair gap between papers to allow students adequate preparation time.

A Welcome Move for Interfaith Harmony

Leaders from the Christian community in Sindh have widely welcomed the government’s decision. "This is a deeply thoughtful and respectful gesture," said a community representative in Karachi. "It shows that the government values the religious diversity of its people and is willing to take administrative steps to accommodate it. It allows our students to observe their holy days with peace of mind, knowing their academic future is not being compromised."

Educationists have also praised the move, noting that it reduces psychological pressure on minority students and promotes a more inclusive educational environment. "Such decisions go a long way in building a tolerant society," noted an education expert. "It sends a powerful message to students of all backgrounds that respect for all faiths is a cornerstone of our society."

Looking Ahead

As the boards work urgently to release the revised dates, students are advised to stay in close contact with their respective institutions for updates. The government has emphasized that the rescheduling should cause minimal disruption to the overall academic calendar and that the integrity and fairness of the examination process will be maintained.

The Sindh government’s proactive approach in rescheduling the board exams for Holy Week and Easter sets a precedent for institutional flexibility and respect for religious diversity, reinforcing the province's commitment to protecting the rights and sentiments of all its citizens.