Punjab students in quandary due to unclear exam schedule

A large number of matric and intermediate students in Punjab are facing uncertainty as there are differences amongst the Punjab Boards Committee of Chairmen (PBCC) and the Education Ministry over the schedule of exams.

During the course, the PBCC issued the fifth updated date sheet to conduct physical exams amidst students demanding cancellation of exams due to coronavirus spread in the province.

Meanwhile, the private school associations have voiced the discontent over the ministry and the committee’s verdict concerning the marking method for the exams.

Repeated alteration in the exam plan from the PBCC has left millions of students enrolled with boards of intermediate and secondary education (BISEs) in a predicament.

According to official figures, the number of students enrolled in grades nine and 10 are 2.6 million, while 2.4 million are enrolled in grades 11 and 12 in the province. These students have yet to be given one final schedule for exams that will begin after July 10.

As per the updated schedule decided that PBCC meeting Sargodha, the board exams will commence on July 10.

In a bid to provide ease to students, the committee has decided to conduct exams for elective subjects, while the marks for compulsory subjects will also be given on the average basis.

However, ,many students from public schools are still in quandary over exam schedule and demand it to be deferred by at least three months as their course work is incomplete.