KARACHI, April 27: The Board of Intermediate Education, has issued a list of 32 examination centres, including the eight for female candidates, which have been considered sensitive, as the HSC annual examinations-2004 commences today.

Over 122,500 male and female candidates have been registered for Pre-Medical, Pre-Engineering and Science General, Home Economics and Commerce groups examinations, which will be held in two shifts at 165 centres set up at various city colleges and schools.

BIEK Chairman Prof Iftikhar H Zaidi said in this regard that the board was all set to hold the examinations in a peaceful and foolproof manner. "I have already contacted the high-ups in the provincial and city governments as well as law enforcing agencies, including Rangers, besides the Governor's House, to get full support in regard to peaceful conduct of examinations," he added.

He said that he had been informed by the authorities concerned that police would be deployed at all the examination centres, while the Rangers' mobiles would also be present around the examination centres to avoid any untoward situation, apprehended to be caused by outsiders.

He informed that in addition to 52 vigilance teams of college teachers, a 'super' vigilance team, comprising 15-20 senior college professors and retired government officials, would also be functioning at the board.

The members of this team would make surprise visits to the centres in the morning and evening shifts, as part of the BIE's overall strategy to ensure transparency in the conduct of examinations, he added.

To a question, he said that educational institutions for the purpose of setting up examination centres had been selected after a detailed survey of college buildings, seating capacity and amenities available there. Some of the colleges had been provided with additional furnitures for the candidates, he added.

He said that all the examination centres had been made secure, while efforts had also been made to avert outside intervention, use of unfair means and other unlawful activities. No change of centres would be allowed to candidates in any case, Prof Zaidi mentioned.

The breakdown of candidates appearing in the first phase of HSC examinations is as follows: In the morning shift (9am to 12 noon) in Pre-medical, Part I, 3,598 male and 9,982 female candidates are expected to appear, while in Part-II, 2,973 male and 9,723 female candidates will appear.

In Pre-Engineering and Science General, Part I; 17,544 male and 7289 female candidates, Part II; 16,446 males and 7414 females. Home Economics-Part I; 524 and Part-II, 525 female candidates.

In the afternoon shift (2pm to 5 pm) of Commerce (Regular) Part-I, 13,651 male and 6,096 females; Part-II, 9,694 male and 6,644 females. Commerce (Private) Part-I, 4,210 male and 1,236 females; Part II 2,629 male and 2,313 females. According to a BIE deputy controller of examination, Ishaque Mamji, the sensitive colleges are as follows:

CENTRES FOR MALES: Degree College for Boys, Sector 5-L, North Karachi; Degree College, 7-D/2, North Karachi; Degree College, Buffer Zone, North Karachi; Premier College No-1; City College No-1; Delhi Boys Secondary School; Sirajuddaula College No-1; Karachi Academy of Comp Science, Old Islamia girls college building; Islamia Arts and Commerce College; Islamia Science College; National College; S M arts and Commerce College; Nabi Bagh Inter Science College; Degree Science and Commerce College, Lyari; Aisha Bawany College No 1; NJV Boys Higher Secondary School; St Patrick's College; Superior Science College; Degree Science College, Malir at Saudabad; Jamia Millia College of Education; Jamia Millia College, Malir; Comprehensive Higher Secondary School, Korangi 3 1/2; Intermediate College for Boys, 36-B, Landhi No-4; Degree Science and Commerce College for Men, Landhi/Korangi-6.