KARACHI, Aug 2: Thousands of fresh matriculated students are facing uncertain prospects as despite commencement of new academic session in intermediate colleges from August 1, the authorities have failed to announce schedule of admissions to the first year classes.

In addition, reports regarding an unprecedented delay in the admission process is also adding to their worries as the recently established admission committee has yet to publish admission forms and prospectus for class XI in intermediate colleges for the academic session 2003.

The Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) has ordered the principals of all affiliated colleges to complete the process of admission to higher secondary classes within three weeks from the commencement of academic session.

However, the BIEK chairman may extend the date of admission by granting an additional three-week’s time in exceptional cases.

Due to the delay, admission process in private intermediate colleges and higher secondary schools has also come to a virtual halt on account of prevailing uncertainty among concerned authorities over commencement of classes.

An official of the recently formed admission committee for the centralized admission policy said that owing to conflicting directives from the BIEK and the city government, the process of admissions to HSC-I was delayed as they have yet to decide about publication of admission forms and prospectus, preparation of merit lists of students and other formalities for admissions.

“The city district government wants publication of admission forms and prospectus in its own printing press,” he said, adding that because of the limited capacity of the press, publication of forms and prospectus may take months.

However, some members of the admission committee have suggested publication of admission forms and prospectus at the Security Printing Press to save time and avoid delay in admissions, he said, pointing out that the suggestion was under-consideration of higher authorities.

“Besides, EDO colleges and chairman of the admission committee is on medical leave and all meetings of the admission committee are being held at his residence, but still they are undecided over the admission schedule,” he maintained.

He feared that owing to issuance of strict directives from the BIEK regarding schedule, capacity of classes, attendance rules and other related issues, the new academic session may take two or three months to begin, causing unbearable loss and inconvenience to students.

The BIEK has issued strict directives to college principals regarding 75 per cent attendance of students, besides ordering the college authorities to submit attendance of students on a monthly basis.—PPI