KARACHI, Feb 14: People from different walks of life have appreciated the Sindh governor’s decision to defer the implementation of composite examination system for classes IX and X, saying that the decision has brought weeks of uncertainty to an end.
Although the decision has provided immediate relief to thousands of SSC students, the issue may resurface next year the composite examination system is being opposed at all levels in Sindh’s education sector and the matter is yet to be settled once and for all. Mother of a class IX student commenting on the period of uncertainty, said: “We passed through torment ... thanks God! the matter of his exams now stands settled for this year.”
However, parents of the students at present studying in class VIII are concerned over the situation emerging for the two consecutive years. “Do we have to pass through the same situation next year or the government will get the matter settled permanently?” father of a class VIII student wondered.
Meanwhile, the Private Schools Management Association, hailing the governor’s decision, appreciated the role played by all political and social organisations and figures in resisting the composite examination system. Senior Vice-chairman of the Association Sharfuz Zaman expressed resentment over the statements given by the federal and Sindh education ministers in favour of the new system and their intention to implement the same from next year. He said that the PSMA would convene a meeting to devise a future line of action in this regard.
The Teachers’ Thinker Forum (TTF), welcoming the governor’s decision, said “the governor has conquered hearts of students and their parents by getting them rid of the torment and agony. Chairman of the TTF Zubair Ahmed Khan urged the federal education ministry to reverse its decision in order to avoid the ugly situation arising again.
Chief of the Sindh Teachers’ Forum Dr Nasiruddin also appreciated the governor’s decision, and suggested that a lower education commission on the pattern of the Higher Education Commission be formed with a task to deal with the affairs of schools and colleges.
Mr Khalid Shah of the All Private Schools Management Association, Sindh, also thanked the governor for deciding to retain the existing system of examination this year, and pointed out that owing to the prolonged uncertainty, the syllabus had remained incomplete. As such, he suggested, the examination for class IX be held after completion of the syllabus.
The Islami Jamiat Talaba has described the governor’s decision as ‘students’ victory’, and urged the Sindh governor to issue a notification on the deferment. It also demanded that the schedule for class IX examination be announced immediately and the matter of SSC examination system be settled once and for all.
Sindh chief of the Pakistan Tehrik Insaaf Zubair Khan lauded the decision in favour of separate examinations for classes IX and X, and observed that because of federal government’s interference into the educational affairs of the province, students and other stakeholders remained confused for four months. Talking with a delegation of students and parents, he expressed the view that the issue would emerge again next year if it was not resolved on a permanent basis.
