KARACHI, Aug 11: The top three position holders of HSC (Pre-Medical) Science group annual examinations 2004 have not appreciated the government's decision to denationalize the St Joseph's and St Patrick's colleges.

They said that in a situation when acquiring education in the private sector was already a costly affair, handing over of government-run educational institutions to private parties would lead many of the talented students from the lower income group to rest with sub-standard institutions.

These views were expressed by the students on the occasion of the announcement of results of HSC Pre-medical Part II exams here on Wednesday. As many as 12,908 candidates, including 9,921 girls appeared in the exams, out of which 7,936, including 6,555 girls, were declared pass.

The pass percentage remained 61.65, which was about 8 per cent higher than last year's. According to result, there was an increase of about 16 per cent in the number of candidates securing A-1 grade.

Similarly, an increase was observed in the number of A graders as well. Last year, there were 1,267 A graders, while this year their figure jumped to 1,631. The provincial health department has not announced any increase in the number of MBBS seats in Sindh's medical colleges, and as such it is understood that the whole medical allocation of around 373 seats would be occupied by A-1 graders, leaving hardly any or no room for those with A and other grades.

The pass percentage of female students remained 66.24, and it was 46.40 in the case of male students. Last year, the percentages were 56.70 and 43.23 respectively. The first six positions in the consolidated merit, as prepared by the board, were claimed by students of two colleges, St Joseph's Government Colleges for Women (4) and The Agha Khan Higher Secondary School, Karimabad (2).

Sarah Hasan Siddiqui, seat no 239493, and Sidra Ahmed, seat no 239475, both from St Joseph's college, bagged the first and second positions respectively. The third position went to Mariam Anis, seat no 234926, of the Aga Khan school.

The breakdown of candidates, who passed the examination is as follows: Boys; A-1 grade 53 (1.77 per cent), A grade 260 (8.70 per cent), B grade 362 (12.12 per cent), C grade 389 (13.02 per cent), D grade 287 (9.61 per cent), E grade 18 (0.60 per cent).

Similarly, statistics among girls show; A-1 grade 343 (3.46 per cent), A grade 1,371 (13.82 per cent), B grade 1,912 (19.27 per cent), C grade 2,027 (20.43 per cent), D grade 890 (8.97 per cent), E grade six (0.06 per cent).

Students from a total of 160 government and private colleges and higher secondary schools took the said exams, out of which about 10 institutions, including five from the government sector, failed to see any of their candidates successful. Candidates of some 95 institutions failed to get a place among A-1 or A graders.

The BIE chairman, Prof Iftikhar H Zaidi, said that the board had taken action against 14 private colleges and higher secondary schools giving below the mark results last year.

Referring to the performance of position holders, the chairman said they had proved their talent. "The students, their parents and teachers deserve all praise. It is hoped that these students will repeat such performances in the future as well."

To a question, the EDO, Prof M Rais Alvi, said there was a dire need to appoint about 450 more teachers at various colleges for providing meaningful education to students.

The controller of examinations, BIEK, Prof M Amin Khalid, said since he was new at the board, it was a challenging job for him to announce results within five days after his posting, however, things were managed with the tireless efforts of the board's staff.

He said the ranking of colleges in the exams, which used to be part of the results every year, could not be compiled this year with the said exams due to shortage of time, but the same would definitely be provided with the results of other exams.

Talking to media men, Sarah Hasan Siddiqui, daughter of Mushahid Hasan Siddiqui, and first position holder said that her college, St Joseph's had been producing shining students, and maintained a high standard of education. As such, she did not she any logic to its denationalization, she said.

If the government wants to shift its responsibility to others, it should invite private concerns to sponsor those colleges, which lacked amenity and faculty, in order to get better results.

She said, she wanted to become a doctor, since she considered it a challenging profession, particularly in a situation when the opportunities of better health care were not available to the poor. She opined that doctors at government hospitals should pay attention to the poor people as well.

The second position holder, Sidra Ahmad, daughter of Muhammed Ahmad, said that denationalization of colleges would cause an increase in tuition fees, which could be beyond the reach of a majority of meritorious students in the city.

She said that lack of education and inadequate awareness on issues among the masses were the country's major problems. She observed that since Urdu was the national language of the country, the medium of instructions in educational institutions should be the same.

Marium Anis, daughter of Anis Alam Khan, said that she would prefer to acquire education at the Dow Medical College. She apprehended that the Catholic board would give first priority to its community members in admissions at the two colleges proposed to be handed over to them.