ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood on confirmed that the examination for class 9 and 11 will go as planned.
Rumours on social media websites had been claiming that the board exams had been cancelled, the minister said that “there is no truth” to these rumours.
Earlier, there were speculations that due to the rising coronavirus cases across the country, authorities were considering the possibility to promote grade 9 and 11 students without examinations.
A day prior, Mehmood had announced that intermediate examinations in the country would be held after June 15.
“The coronavirus situation was getting better in the country due to vaccinations and other steps taken by the government,” he said regarding holding examinations, “I am very hopeful.”
The minister had said only A-2 examinations were being held across the country, but several people were voicing their demands to be awarded school-assessed grades. “If examinations do not take place then no one will study — and that is why the (O/A- level) exams — that have been postponed — will be conducted in October and November,” he said.
Earlier the media had reported that the authorities were mulling over the possibilities of promoting grade 9 and 11 students without examination.
This was discussed in an online meeting of the Steering Committee of the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC). A suggestion of shortening the exams was also given by taking optional exams in place of compulsory, a newspaper reported.
The Chairman Aga Khan Board and Head of the Steering Committee, Dr Nizam Jiva presided the meeting. IBCC Secretary Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah, Intermediate Board Karachi Chairman Dr Saeeduddin, Sargodha Board of Education Chairperson Dr Kausar Raees, Kohat Board Chairman Dr Shaukat Hayat, and Federal Board Chairman Dr Qaiser Alam were present in the meeting.
The participants were told that the optional exam policy can be implemented on science subjects but in the case of arts, it will be difficult since there are many optional subjects. In the meeting, there was a consensus on taking exams for grades 10 and 12 while students of grades 9 and 11 are sent to the next classes without exams.
Furthermore, if the IBCC agrees to go ahead with class 10 and 12 examinations then the matter will be forwarded to Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference to seek approval.
Last week, the Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood announced the cancellation of all exams in the country until June 15 due to the Covid-19 situation in the country.
He said the decision is taken after considering the health concerns of students and parents. The situation will be reviewed in June and a decision on the examinations will be taken accordingly.
