Govt to take final decision on board exams, students' concerns today.

Byline: Kashif Abbasi

ISLAMABAD -- Although the federal government has cancelled all board examinations, students are still uncertain about the impact of this decision on their academics and the future strategy boards will adopt.

The government extended the closure of educational institutions until July 15 and cancelled all exams following a decision made by the meeting of interprovincial education ministers and the National Coordination Committee (NCC).

Around four million students appear in board exams conducted by 29 educational boards across the country every year.

Minister for Federal Education Shafqat Mahmood told Dawn that a new policy will be made public to address students' concerns after a final stakeholder meeting today (Monday).

He said education ministers of the country made the decision to cancel exams, which was later endorsed by the NCC headed by the prime minister.

Minister says issues will be addressed in new policy to be made public after final stakeholder meeting

'We are preparing a comprehensive policy to address all the major issues being raised by the students and parents. On Monday,after a final meeting, we will make our new policy related to exams public,' he said.

The NCC had decided that 10th and 11th grade students would be promoted on the basis of the previous year's results, while 9th and 10th grade students will be promoted without exams. Instead, Mr Mahmood said, 9th and 11th grade students will take composite exams next year.

He also hinted that the promoted 9th and 11th grade students could also be given a choice to either sit for composite exams or specially designed ones.

'We will make a final decision in Monday's meeting. Our main focus is to prevent any loss for students,' he said.

Students, meanwhile, are uncertain about what their academic futures will look like.

Kashaf Bibi, a grade nine student who has only appeared in two 9th grade exams held by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, was unhappy that 9th graders would be promoted to the 10th grade without exams and will instead sit composite exams next year.

'The entire year, I focused only on the ninth grade. Next year, it will be a huge burden on me to cover the courses of both classes,' she said.

Mohammad Shah, an aspiring doctor who has cleared his 11th class from the federal board, said he obtained 450 marks in his first year and worked hard for his second year to improve his position. He is now concerned that he will be...

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