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Mehwish Hayat and Ali Zafar speak up for Pakistan's students and urge govt to cancel exams

Mehwish Hayat and Ali Zafar speak up for Pakistan's students and urge govt to cancel exams

O and A Level students are being forced to sit for in person exams and celebrities are speaking up about it.
Updated 26 Apr, 2021

Despite the Covid pandemic wreaking havoc on the Global South — though it is not limited to the Global South — and Pakistan's own cases rising, O and A Level students in the country are being forced to give their exams in person. As the cries to do something grow louder, more celebrities are joining in and supporting our students.

The country's students have been running a comprehensive social media campaign against physical exams, saying the threat of the pandemic is too great to take such risks. It is also correct that the past year has been particularly difficult and disruptive for studies, with online education failing to adequately replace in-person education, in addition to the mental anguish of living through a deadly pandemic. As exam pressure and the stress of a successful future loom large, our students rightfully feel threatened.

"This is a question of our lives," they say, preparing for a world more harsh than that protected inside their schools' fortress like walls.

But they're doing everything else, going to weddings and meeting friends, reply self righteous adults to the students' sharp sighs. Unfortunately they fail to understand how attending weddings and giving exams that decide one's fate are different incidents, especially with the toxic competition that pollutes the world of today. That is not to say that they are justified in attending weddings or other mass gatherings.

In an earlier announcement by Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood, it was revealed that the government has decided to conduct the exams as scheduled, meaning the students' demands were turned down. In response, student-led movements moved the courts, with support from individuals like activist Jibran Nasir and reality TV host Waqar Zaka. Multiple high courts across the country rejected these pleas, citing not wanting to undermine the NCOC as a reason. The students did not like this.

In the new wave of celebrity support that has since followed, we heard Pride of Performance recipient Mehwish Hayat speak in favour of the students.

"Not only is it dangerous with the third wave taking hold but is unfair when education has been so disrupted," she noted, requesting Mahmood to follow other countries in cancelling exams.

Singer Ali Zafar also spoke on the matter.

Nasir, who has already been very vocal and supportive of the cause, isn't done talking just yet.

In response to the backlash, Mahmood tweeted some options for Cambridge students.

He said they can switch to the October/November session instead, but that's not really an option either. The issue won't resolve itself in a few months. Hopefully there will be good news around the corner but for now, students are playing a waiting game.

Comments

Silent Observer Apr 26, 2021 04:01pm
Actually both are high-school drop-outs hence the empathy!
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Derek Miller Apr 26, 2021 04:09pm
What a bunch of cry babies The same people are violating SOPs in their protests Exams are on - so get used to it Without exams, you may lose our on university places when your school's assessment of grades without exam will be rejected
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Realistic Apr 26, 2021 04:34pm
These singers need to mind their own business. Exams should go ahead as per schedule and SOPs
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Heko Apr 26, 2021 06:38pm
Right or wrong, first time seeing a minister handling the situation actively and directly with the authorities at Cambridge.
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Rami Apr 26, 2021 08:47pm
How about given exams on line ! Holding classes on line !
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Khan ji Apr 26, 2021 11:47pm
I am a parent. If any thing happens to my child, I am going to lodge FIR against The PM and Mr Shafqat of Article 302.
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Alamzeb Apr 27, 2021 12:08am
Yes, it's very simple and as per Cambridge letter above, those who don't want to sit the exam die to COVID can opt for October/November 2021 exam.
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Ali Iqbal Apr 27, 2021 12:48am
Once again, people in the comments have no empathy and are probably irresponsible parents. I know for a certain SOPs are not being followed outside exam halls, students are shaking hands with each other and both parents and students are not maintaining social distancing. Government and some people are just waiting for us to reach the state India is in right now. Then you'll realise that cancelling exams and making a few other proactive decisions could've saved so many lives and so much pain.
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Javed Ahmef Apr 27, 2021 05:12pm
@Khan ji Sir, I am currently appearing for A Level exams. Nobody bother maintaining social distance here. Students shake hands and hug each other, my fellows call me arrogant for following standard operating procedures. How can one blame government for all this? Government hadn't taken the right decision, though but can't we make an effort to minimise the spread of coronavirus. Even yesterday I observe these violayion of SOP outside the exam venue.
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Javed Ahmed Apr 27, 2021 05:13pm
@Ali Iqbal Student used to do the same in colleges as well. This shows their immaturity.
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Mohsin Alim Qazi Apr 29, 2021 11:44am
For A2 students, who are above 18, government should immediately open vaccination. Find solutions don't crib
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