KARACHI, April 6: Educationists in the city have suggested that examination for the subjects of chemistry, biology and computer science at the secondary school certificate (SSC) level should be taken in two stages for the time being.
Students of the science group previously took exams of chemistry, biology and computer science in Class IX only, but the chaotic teaching situation that prevailed throughout the year on the issue of composite exams has made it difficult for them to cover all the topics in these subjects.
They are, therefore, suggesting the relevant authorities to hold exams of these subjects in two stages, at classes IX and X levels, by splitting the subjects in two parts.
The prevailing confusion regarding the composite examination issue was removed on April 3, after Sindh’s governor directed the province’s educational boards to conduct the SSC Part-I (Class IX) annual exams in 2006 as per the previous practice.
Over 300,000 fresh students of Class IX are due to appear in the SSC Part I annual exams, scheduled from June 20, as already decided by the Committee of Chairmen (COC) of Sindh’s educational boards.
The educationists recalled that authorities had last year decided to split in two parts the course contents of chemistry, biology and computer science subjects taught in class IX.
But teaching of the subjects could not be ensured, as the Sindh Textbook Board failed to bring out the concerned books in time.
The STB had been able to publish, among other books, the part-I books of chemistry, biology and computer science subjects, but the part-II books are still awaited.
A senior official of the STB told Dawn that Urdu and Sindhi version books of chemistry and biology part-II for class IX students would be marketed latest by April 15.
He said since a federal government decision in regard to conducting composite exams at the SSC level from 2007 onwards was effected earlier, the STB found it fit not to worry about the second parts of the books in question, anticipating that part-II of the books would now be taught in Class X.
The official said that English titles of part-II chemistry and biology books had already been marketed, while part-II chemistry for Urdu medium students would be floated in a couple of days. This would be followed by part-II Biology in Urdu and Sindhi, and part-II Chemistry in Sindhi by April 15 or so.
In the meantime, the COC is also meeting on April 8 to discuss preparations in regard to Class IX exams. The committee is also likely to deliberate on the pattern of exam papers for chemistry, biology and computer science as well.
It is understood that only half of the books (part-I) in question have been taught to students of Class IX so far, while just 30 teaching days are left for the purpose, following which students would be examined.
The STB’s books for a majority of students of Sindhi and Urdu medium schools will be available after April 16, while teaching at a good number of secondary schools selected as centres for SSC part-II exams in the province will have to be suspended for 12-16 days, said a senior headmaster of a government school.
Practically, only the month of May will be at the disposal of teachers and students to cover up the leftover courses of Class IX, including the part-II books of biology, chemistry and computer science.
“We are lucky that English versions of both the books have been made available, but teaching for those is only likely to begin in a day or two,” said students from a private school.
They said preparation from the examination point of view and covering the teaching of all topics of both books (chemistry, biology/computer science) was all challenging.
Syed Khalid Shah, chief of the All Private Schools Management Association Sindh, said that schools affiliated with his body were ready to extend all-out support to students and educational boards for a peaceful and meaningful conduct of Class IX exams.
To a question, he said private schools will especially assign their teachers to teach the leftover chemistry and biology/computer science books to Class IX students in extra hours as well.
“However, I personally feel that boards will have to review how much of the topics are covered during the available time before the commencement of exams,” he added.
A couple of academics said that educational boards should be realistic and reduce the topics of the new books in question, as a special measure for this year, in order to ensure that students were taught and tested in a fair way.
However, there were some others who also felt that the credibility of the 2006 SSC (Part I) exams, and the potential of candidates clearing these exams, should not be undermined at any stage by any quarter in future.
They, including an ADO Education, called for holding chemistry, biology/computer science exams in two parts for the batch of students in question.
It was said that since the entire part-I chemistry, biology or computer science books had been taught in schools, it would be appropriate to examine students in only paper one of the subjects this year, while exams in the second part of the said papers should be given to students along with Class X papers next year.
For the purpose, marks of theory papers can be divided into two parts against the proposed two papers of chemistry, biology and computer science.
While the practical exams can be held, after completing all required training of students, in line with the prescribed course, some time later this year, added the ADO.
