Canceling Board Exams & Promoting Students, A Summary Of Decisions By Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood

COVID-19 breakout while badly affecting everything else in the country has also affected the schedule of the board exams that were scheduled between the months of April and May.

Here’s a summary of everything that you need to know about the decisions that were made by the Education Minister, Shafqat Mahmood.

Cancellation of board examinations

It was announced last week by Federal Minister for Education & Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood that all the educational institutions across the country will remain closed till the 15^th of July and all board exams are cancelled.

Two important decisions taken by PM Imran Khan in the NCC today. One, All educational institutions will remain closed till July 15. Two, ALL Board exams throughout the country have been cancelled. Students would be assessed on their previous performance in Board exams.

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) May 7, 2020

Read: Students Can’t Stop Cracking Jokes After Board Exams Were Cancelled In Pakistan

Multiple concerns were soon raised by parents, students, and teachers, and the announcement mentioned the students being assessed on their previous performance. This was rather concerning for the students of class 9 and 11 as they have never appeared in a board exam before and they might have to appear in a composite exam next year.

A number of clarifications have been sought after Board exam cancellation by students who were giving composite class 12 exam or hoped to do better in 12 compared to 11 or reappear, and private students or those having supplementaries etc. We will answer all queries Monday

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) May 8, 2020

Promotion Policy

On the 14^th of May Mr. Shafqat Mahmood during a press conference announced the promotion policy for students who were scheduled to appear in board exams. The policy states:

1. Students including private from class 9 to 11 will be promoted without exams.

2. There will be no composite exam. Their previous grades will be calculated when they will appear in board exams of grades 10 and 12.

Summary of decisions taken today. 1. All students of class 9 and 11 promoted without exam including private. 2) No composite exam for these students next year. They will appear in 10 and 12 grade exam and from their result previous years result will be calculated. 1/4

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) May 14, 2020

3. The students who couldn’t appear in exams of class 10 and 12 will have grades according to their result of class 9 and 11 with an addition of 3% to the total marks.

2/4. 3) All students who could not appear in class 10 and 12 exams will be assessed on class 9 and 11 results provided they had cleared all subjects. 3% marks will be added to their total marks calculated for class 10 and 12.

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) May 14, 2020

4. Students failing less than 40% of subjects will get passing grades.

5. Special exams will be conducted for students who want to improve their grades, giving composite exams, taking extra subjects, or have failed in more than 40% of subjects.

3/4 Those failing in less than 40% subjects in 9 and 11 will be given passing grade. 5) A special exam will be conducted for 4 categories: a) those wanting to improve grade 11 result b) those sitting for composite exam c) those taking additional subjects

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) May 14, 2020

4/4 d) those who have failed in more than 40% subjects in grade 11

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) May 14, 2020

While further elaborating on the decision, Shafqat Mehmood also said, “Our total effort was to ensure fairness and help the students. Concerns of a vast majority have been addressed”.

Let’s hope that the decision taken by the education ministry turns out to be in the best interest of everyone concerned.

Still, what do you have to say about promotion of students without exams? Share your thoughts in the comments section!