TEACHING has been my passion for the last 29 years. During the course of my profession, I have come across thousands of students. But it was during my first and only experience as a head examiner in practical exams that I had got a chance to deal with the teaching staff of different colleges in Karachi. For me, the conduction of examination is a sacred job, and each student has the right to be rewarded for his or her hard work.
When the courier brought the letter for head examinership, I contacted my peers about the responsibilities. My friends congratulated me for the appointment, while others raised eyebrows. The first meeting with the Deputy Controller of Examination and other heads was a pleasant experience. When I finally got the list of colleges under my supervision, I was about to faint as there were some I had never even heard about. But my determination urged me to do the job. Then came the day when the college teachers submitted their examination schedules. I thank my colleagues who guided me in the schedule-making process.
Since the practical examinations started in the summer break, many teachers were anxious to get rid of the duty and enjoy their break with their families. So, the maximum workload was in the first fortnight. I started compiling the list of colleges according to the dates of practical examination. I had to perform the task of confirming the external examiner’s schedule, arrange external examiners for far-flung centres where either the board couldn’t make arrangements or the person had refused to perform duty. Those who didn’t submit their schedules were to be contacted and the addresses had to be confirmed. The phone was continuously busy with me either calling or being called (the phone bill doubled). “Sir, I need your help”, used to be my request, thanks to all those who guided me.
On June 7, 2003, practical exams started all over Karachi. For the first three days, I was running from one end of the city to the other, commuting through Metrobus, Mazda coasters, taxi or a rickshaw. Reaching the college on time was an experience. I had a desire to fast during the duty period, but the scorching sun and hectic programme stopped me from doing so. Our traditional hospitality will not allow the head examiner to remain without snacks. Only a doctor can understand and have sympathy with my digestive system which was forcefully being laden with tea and tempting bakery stuff at one centre, while the next would serve cold drinks with sandwiches or chaat. At times, I had to beg my host to have mercy on me.
After a relaxing cold drink, I would venture for another centre while waiting for some means of commutation, and when the rate of taxi/rickshaw was settled, the next problem of locating the college would surface. At a number of places, there were no signs to help locate the college building. In such a situation, one can either get down from the taxi or let its meter run at the rate of one’s heartbeat.
Some government colleges are located in huge campuses, but the college remains hidden behind illegal shops. One of the examiners guided me to ask for a certain mosque which is green in colour. There was a green mosque with the same name, but there was no college in the vicinity. A local lad then guided me, though not without difficulty. On reaching there, I found the examiners sitting in the professor’s small room. Who was invigilating the students?
At another, where the examination centre was at the mercy of a lab assistant, I noticed a girl cheating. My teacher once advised us to walk like cats and this helped me catch her red-handed. Soon after, the examiners arrived and were furious at the student. As expected, the girl cried her eyes out and begged for mercy. I being a mother finally decided to cancel the cheated question, allowed her to complete her practical exams. The memory of this incidence still haunts me and makes me wonder as to who can be held responsible for encouraging cheating among students? While locating a college in the course of my duties in North Karachi, I was asked to follow the local mazda. I finally landed in the industrial area of the locality. The scorching sun and dust raised my temperature. Somebody must have cursed me, I thought.
Finally, on July 8, 2003, I completed conducting practical exams in all the assigned centres. Now, the next job was to check the answer scripts. From the 49 centres, there were about 4,500 copies, along with the attendance sheets and award lists. I had to match the award list with the attendance. At one centre, the total number of students mentioned in the attendance sheet was more than the award list itself.
The weather suddenly changed, heavy downpour and power breakdowns became frequent. Often, when we came out of the Intermediate Board Office after four to five hours of checking, it had rained so hard that the streets were flooded. On July 25, 2003, I completed my assignments and handed it over to the Controller of Examinations, who must be praised for his patience, good manners and cooperation. The one other thing that surprised me was his memory and quick working speed.
It was good experience to work as a head examiner, but the most depressing part is that after you get the experience, you don’t get another chance to use it. So, here I put certain points in writing for all future head examiners who must be mindful of the following before taking on the assignment:
1. Must know the correct addresses and means of commutation to the college.
2. Must consult peers for guidance.
3. Must be ready for a huge phone bill after the practical exams.
I would also like to request the Intermediate Board Office to fix certain dates of examination for a particular subject in particular areas. This would help head examiners to conduct exams in a proper manner with less tension, confusion and discomfort.
TEACHING has been my passion for the last 29 years. During the course of my profession, I have come across thousands of students. But it was during my first and only experience as a head examiner in practical exams that I had got a chance to deal with the teaching staff of different colleges in Karachi. For me, the conduction of examination is a sacred job, and each student has the right to be rewarded for his or her hard work.
