ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FIBSE) is going to use e-sheets in two subjects for the upcoming Higher Secondary School Certificates (HSSC) examinations.

The annual exams 2019 are scheduled to begin next month. The board will introduce the e-sheets for biology and computer science subjects.

However, teachers and students have not been given any specific training as the FBISE thinks the intermediate level students could handle the e-sheets.

Official says gradually all subjects will be added to e-sheet system

Sources in the FBISE said the e-sheets would not be checked online rather its scanned copies would be sent to markers in different cities. Practically, there will be no major difference between the old and new systems.

According to FBISE, last year the board had introduced the e-sheets for computer science paper and this year one more subject has been added.

“Students of computer science and biology will attempt the subjective portion (Section B, C and D) on the provided e-sheets for both parts (HSSC-I & II).

“E-sheet is an ordinary answer sheet/copy but it has been divided in such a way that each question shall be attempted on a space provided/allocated for each question and its part. Space has been allocated for different questions keeping in view maximum possible length for response of each question.

“In this way, the candidates will attempt questions in the allocated/provided space for each answer and not beyond the same,” read an announcement by the FBISE on its website.

Gradually, in a few years, all papers will be held on e-sheets.

Last year, the board had introduced optimal mark recognition (OMR) sheets for objective type responses and the objectives were marked by machine. Later, the board had to verify the results manually.

When contacted, FBISE Chairman Ikram Ali Malik said the e-sheet was being introduced only in two subjects and gradually other papers would be added to it.

He said it would be easy for the board to send the scanned solved copies of the e-sheets to a large number of checkers. Earlier, the board had limited options to send copies to markers only in a few selected cities.

“This step will help the board to have better checking of papers,” the chairman said, adding there was no major difference between the manual and ‘E’ sheets.

Asked about training for students and teachers, he said training was not required for such a minor change. The board has already uploaded a sample of e-sheets on its website to facilitate the teachers and students.

When asked if it was not wastage of papers as every student would be given a sheet whether they attempt all papers or not, he said the students were provided enough space like if an answer is to be given in five lines in e-sheets the board leaves 10 lines, providing maximum space to students.

He said to ensure transparency the board would also get the copies cross checked manually.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2019