No let-up in students protest against exams

The students of different schools and colleges in Islamabad once again staged a protest rally on D-Chowk, demanding the cancellation of board examinations.

The students holding banners gathered in front of the National Press Club on Tuesday and chanted slogans against the government and Higher Education Commission (HEC). The students then marched towards D-chowk and blocked the road due to which long queues of vehicles formed.

The protesters were of the view that they could not take an exam without completing the course. They said that the government’s short-sighted behaviour will destroy their future. The students also demanded the resignation of Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood and said that the sit-in would continue till their demands were met.

A heavy contingent of police reached the spot and arrested several students and took them to the police station after which the protestors dispersed.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has submitted a call to action notice in the National Assembly which states that the students are severely disturbed by the announcement of intermediate examinations on short notice.

It called for drawing the attention of the federal education minister to the holding of exams without consulting teachers and students.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2021.