20 January 2004	Tuesday	27 Ziqa'ad 1424

KARACHI, Jan 19: The SSC and HSC annual examinations under various educational boards in the province would commence on March 8 and April 20, respectively.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Steering Committee of Sindh Education department, with Education secretary Ghulam Ali Pasha in the chair, held on Monday.

The additional secretaries of the department, as well as the chairmen of educational boards, executive district officers (Education) and other high officials concerned attended the meeting.

Mr Pasha slammed the copy culture in educational institutions, particularly those in the rural areas, and urged the boards to check the situation. He observed that despite investment of Rs14 billion in the education department, better results were not being achieved, which had been a source of concern for the Sindh government as well, according to a source privy to the meeting.

It was decided in the meeting that examinations at schools up to class VIII, would be conducted from Feb 16 to Feb 28, while the results would be announced by March 22.

The theory examinations of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Annual Examinations-2004 would commence on March 8, while practical would be completed before April 30 and results would be announced latest by July 31.

In the case of Higher Secondary Certificate, Annual Examination-2004, it was resolved at the meeting that theory examinations would commence on April 20, while practical would start from May 20 and results would be declared by the educational boards by August 16.

All regular examinations would be held in the morning shift, and the universities should decide the date of degree class examinations, it was decided.

It was also decided that summer vacation would be observed from June 1 to July 31, while winter vacations would be observed from Dec 23 to Jan 1. Principals, EDO (Edu) and Board or University have been directed to ensure the 75 per cent attendance before acceptance of the annual examination forms.Teachers would be required to take up examination works as a part of their duty, in case of violations, action under rules be initiated, added the source.