KARACHI, Dec 27: The Sindh Education Department’s Steering Committee on Wednesday decided that the theory papers of the SSC annual examinations under the provincial educational boards would commence simultaneously on April 17.

In the case of HSC annual examinations, the committee has fixed May 22 for commencement of theory papers.

The decisions were taken at a meeting of the committee chaired by the provincial Minister for Education Dr Hamida Khuhro on Wednesday. Secretary Education Subhago Khan Jatoi, chairmen of educational boards, EDOs (Education) and senior officials of the education department attended the meeting.

Giving details of the meeting, Additional Secretary (Academics) Qazi Arif Ali said that the committee decided that school and college students with less than 75 per cent attendance should not be allowed to appear in the board examinations. It was also decided that the final examinations of classes up to VIII would commence on May 3, 2007 and complete in 10 to 15 days.

About the SSC and TSC (Technical School Certificate) examinations, the committee decided to start the same on April 17 and fixed July 31 as the deadline for declaring the results.

The Higher Secondary School Certificate and Diploma of Associate Engineering examinations will commence on May 22 and their results will be out latest by August 22.

In reply to a question, Mr Arif said that the boards would be authorised to take decisions on their own about the conduct of practical examinations of SSC and HSC whereas universities would prepare the schedules of degree class examinations for their affiliated colleges.It was further decided at the meeting that the Nazra Quran up to class V would be mandatory in all government and private institutions and action would be taken against those who failed to ensure teaching of this subject.

Summer vacation in schools and colleges across the province will be observed from June 1 to August 15, 2007 and winter vacation from December 22 to January 6, 2007.

Following is the list of other holidays in 2007, as approved by the Steering Committee:

Kashmir Day (Feb 5), Ashura (Muharram 9 & 10), Shah Latif Day (Safar 14), Chehlum (Safar 20), Pakistan Day (March 23), Eid Milad (Rabiul Awwal 12), Labour Day (May 1), Independence Day (August 14), Shab-i-Mairaj (Rajab 27), Shab-i-Barat (Shaban 15), Yaum-i-Ali (Ramazan 21), Shab-i-Qadr (Ramazan 27), Eidul Fitr (Shawwal 1 & 2), Iqbal Day (November 9) and Eidul Azha (Zilhaj 10 & 11) and Quaid-i-Azam’s Birth Anniversary (December 25).