The Bannu Board said on Monday that security concerns have forced a postponement of the matriculation exams in North Waziristan.

To protect the safety of students and employees in the area, the tests, which were originally set to start on April 8, will instead take place at a later time.

The decision was made in view of the current status of law and order in North Waziristan, according to a notification released by the Bannu Board. Following consultation with the appropriate administrative and security authorities, new exam dates will be published.

Education Minister Faisal Khan Tarakai chaired a high-level meeting of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's education bodies to discuss final preparations for the province's matric exams. Exams in every other district will start on April 8 in accordance with the schedule.

Official data indicates that 444,000 students in the tenth grade and 475,000 students in the ninth grade will take the matriculation exams this year. 3,634 exam locations have been set up throughout the province to streamline the procedure, and 25,810 employees have been assigned to invigilation and administrative tasks.

The education minister was briefed by board chairpersons on logistical arrangements, such as the supply of stationery, electricity, clean drinking water, and furniture at every center. In order to ensure a fair and transparent exam procedure, the education minister instructed personnel to enforce a zero-tolerance policy against cheating.

"Students shouldn't be bothered when taking tests. Rather, they ought to be supported and encouraged," Minister Tarakai stated, adding that control centers and monitoring cells with CCTV would be set up to keep an eye on the exams in real time.

The education secretary also gave authorities instructions to keep a positive exam atmosphere and refrain from putting undue pressure on students.