KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly’s Parliamentary Committee has approved awarding grace marks to 11th-grade students to address concerns over unexpectedly low examination results.
Under the decision, students will receive 15 additional marks in Physics and Mathematics and 20 extra marks in Chemistry to compensate for the lower success rate.
A fact-finding report presented during the meeting revealed that the pass rate had remained below 47% for the past decade. The issue gained traction on social media, with political parties also amplifying concerns.
The report cited several key factors contributing to the poor results, including the delayed availability of Physics and Islamic Studies textbooks, which affected students’ preparation. Additionally, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics exam papers were deemed more challenging than usual.
Further investigation exposed violations in the paper-checking process, with teachers taking answer sheets home despite regulations prohibiting it. The absence of compensation for teachers involved in checking papers was highlighted as a demoralizing factor.
Errors in data entry by the IT section also emerged as a major issue, impacting 35% of Pre-Medical cases and 74% of Pre-Engineering cases due to re-totaling discrepancies.
To prevent future complications, the committee recommended upgrading the IT section’s software and hardware, enhancing teacher training, and ensuring the timely appointment of officials for vacant positions in the examination board. It also suggested comparing Sindh’s results with those of other educational boards and addressing academic deficiencies.
Additionally, dissatisfaction was expressed over the performance of the Inspector of Institutions section, with calls for immediate reforms to establish a fair and efficient examination system.
