Yesterday, severe mismanagement by the British Council Pakistan disrupted the Cambridge O Levels, A Levels, and IGCSE examinations in Islamabad. The afternoon Mathematics paper, scheduled for 2:15 PM on April 29, 2026, quickly turned into a logistical nightmare. Officials suddenly changed exam centers without notifying students or parents.
Abrupt Venue Changes & Operational Failures
Management relocated students assigned to the Paradise Complex on the Islamabad Expressway to Monal Marquee at the very last minute. Consequently, under-18 students faced outright denial of entry at their designated gates. Furthermore, invigilators showed complete ignorance regarding student allocations. Some candidates even found their seats before officials told them their exams were at a completely different center.
Meanwhile, parents had already dropped off their children and left. The British Council sent no emails and provided no prior communication regarding these sudden changes.
Minors Endure Physical & Psychological Distress
This absolute negligence triggered massive panic among the minors. Staff forced students to navigate unfamiliar routes alone. Shockingly, British Council representatives threatened candidates. Officials told the students they would miss their exams if they did not reach the new venue themselves. They firmly stated the council would take no responsibility. Additionally, guards at the Paradise Complex behaved rudely and actively forced students out of the gates.
Therefore, students rushed frantically between the Paradise and Monal venues. Some candidates resorted to hitching rides. Others got lost entirely. In one instance, a student had to ask a roadside stranger for directions. Another candidate arrived 45 minutes late due to the forced relocation. The long distance, poor routes, and intense panic caused immense distress, especially among female students. Observers even reported multiple students fainting on the spot.
Empty Promises & Ongoing Negligence From British Council
Despite the utter chaos, no official stepped up to take responsibility. Management outside the centers promised students extra time to compensate for the disruption. However, authorities completely failed to fulfill this promise. Although the disrupted sessions ran past 4:30 PM, students lost crucial time during one of the most critical academic days of their year.
Ultimately, this incident highlights a severe safeguarding lapse that exposed minors to entirely avoidable security risks. Unfortunately, reports indicate this level of negligence by the British Council is now becoming an annual occurrence.
