THIS is apropos Dr A.A.M. Dhakan’s letter ‘Private universities’. As a student, I do not agree with the writer that the standard test should be administered in private universities. There are certain reasons behind this.

A class teacher knows well how to evaluate a student. His focus is on his student’s achievement, i.e. results. Therefore, a teacher’s standard test is considered more appropriate in educational settings.

Second, we can see the examination boards’ conditions in Pakistan. There is no transparency in the system. There are no criteria for failing students for one mark.

How can a three-hour-long examination pattern justify a student’s achievement? It creates test anxiety among students, which affects results.

Third, there are economic losses and wastage of resources in standardising testing. For example, when Karachi University conducts examinations for private candidates, the entire city gets disturbed because the examinees have to reach the university from various areas. Candidates with jobs have to take leave from their workplace.

Some women candidates have to bring guardians along with them. This increases the number of people in the university.

I would, therefore, suggest that there is no need to create drama in the name of a test. This three-hour test cannot fully justify the students’ potential. It is time we pondered the issue.

Farhan Jumani

Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2015

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