KARACHI, March 15: The parents of SSC annual examination candidates on Monday claimed that despite delay in commencement of examinations in the second shift, students were not given extra time to solve their papers.

On Monday, the major phase of the SSC (general group) exams for fresh candidates commenced with the holding of English (Compulsory) Paper-I of three-hour duration.

Some of the parents and students said that paper at the St Paul's Urdu High School in Saddar area commenced around 2.45pm, instead of 2pm, but the students, despite assurances, were not given extra time to complete their papers and the examination staff at the centre took back the answer scripts from them around 5.15 pm, which was sheer injustice.

When contacted, an examination official at the Board of Secondary Education, said that due to traffic hassles, the group-leader could not reach a couple of centres in time with question papers, and that examination at such centres commenced behind the schedule in the afternoon shift.

However, he maintained that centre superintendents were already under instructions to allow candidates extra time as compensation for the delay. He said that he had not received any complaint from parents, but would probe into the matter on Tuesday.

EXAM CENTRES: City Nazim Naimatullah Khan has banned the movement and entrance of unconcerned public within the limits of 200 metres of examination centres set up for SSC annual exams under Section 144, adds PPI.