THE Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) is mulling changing the syllabus of the Provincial Management Service (PMS) examinations. Apart from other proposed changes, there is a proposal for introducing a compulsory Urdu essay paper of 50 marks.

It may be mentioned that there is already a compulsory Urdu paper of 100 marks which includes grammar and essay questions. The introduction of a separate paper of Urdu essay will overburden candidates, who have to simultaneously prepare for tests by other government vacancies.

Moreover, in both private and public schools and colleges the students are taught compulsory Urdu (one paper) and there are no separate papers for grammar and essay.

The civil service needs good policymakers, not Urdu or English writers. One paper having 100 marks is more than enough to judge candidates’ language skills. However, introducing a compulsory paper about administration or policymaking would be quite relevant.

M. Hassan

Faisalabad

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2017