No cancellation in exams, confirms Shafqat

The minister maintained online education lacked quality; could not compensate for physical attendance of students

Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood announced on Saturday that exams would be held on time, dispelling rumours that the ministry is cancelling exams.

Speaking to the media, the minister reaffirmed the government’s policy of sticking with its decision to commence examinations across the country.

The statement comes at the heels of recent protests held by students voicing their demands to cancel the examinations.

A number of students were detained by the police on Thursday during a protest against matriculation and intermediate examinations outside the Higher Education Commission (HEC) office in Islamabad.

The students chanted slogans against the government and demanded the cancellation of the examinations. According to the protesters, they were taught the courses online and they claimed they were unable to prepare well for the upcoming examinations.

They urged Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood to either approve their demands or tender his resignation.

Talking to the media on Saturday, the education minister urged the students to refrain from entertaining rumours that the government will cancel exams.

“Education sector has already suffered a lot due to covid-19 pandemic,” Shafqat said, insisting that pandemic-induced shortcomings would have to be amended.

Shafqat reiterated that special arrangements would be made to ensure health safety and prevention of the spread of the covid-19 virus. However, he maintained, virtual education lacked quality and could not compensate for the physical attendance of students.