MIANWALI: The poor results of ninth class (secondary school certificate Part-1 (first annual) examination 2022 in the district, announced by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Sargodha, have exposed the declining education standard.

Most students at the government boys and girls’ schools in the district have failed. The overall pass percentage is 37pc which is the lowest in the Sargodha division. Social circles have questioned the role the education department and teachers are playing.

According to the results, 294 of the 383 students of the Central Model High School, Mianwali, have failed. As many as 383 of the 412 students of the Govt Comprehensive High School failed, 154 of the 182 students of the Govt High School, PAF Colony, failed and 92 out of 105 students of the Govt High School, Abbakhel have failed.

As many as 103 students (total 108) of the Govt High School, Tola Mangali, failed, 55 out of 58 students of the Govt High School, Tabisar, failed, 44 out of 48 students of the Govt High School, Bangikhel, failed and 76 out of 88 students of the Govt High School, Nasirwala, have failed. Only 30 of the 70 students of the Cadet College, Isakhel, which was known to be a highly prestigious institution of the country, have passed.

The cadet college result is said to be the outcome of alleged political interference as some teachers have used their political influence to have the principal removed on baseless charges. The former principal was credited to have improved the standard of the college besides enhancing its strength from 150 to 500 in a few years.

With the change of the principal, most parents withdrew their children from the college and had them admitted to other schools. A high school headmaster, Qamar Mushani, was given the charge of the principal.

People demand an inquiry by the Punjab government to ascertain the causes of deteriorating standard of education.

CEO Education, Mianwali, Mohammad Awais Bhatti told Dawn that he himself was shocked over the poor results and assured that he would take action against the teachers and headmasters who failed to deliver.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2022