KARACHI, Aug 20: A two-day meeting of controllers of examinations of technical boards concluded here on Wednesday after recommending that the age for a candidate of Technical School Certificate (Matric-Technical) Part-I examination be fixed as 14-18 years.

The meeting, held under the aegis of the Sindh Board of Technical Education (SBTE) at its campus, also unanimously resolved to implement uniform assessment and promotion rules for Diploma of Associates Engineer (DAE), Diploma of Business Administration (DBA), Diploma of Commerce (DCom) and TSC/Matric (technical) courses.

There was also consensus among participants of the meeting on the issue of promotion from first year to second year in the DAE, DBA and DCom with the condition that the promotion be allowed to only those students who would clear at least two subjects.

According to SBTE controller of examinations Prof Siraj-ul-Islam Bukhari, the meeting also recommended compulsory holding of supplementary examination for DAE third year students, besides a separate grace marks policy for DCom, DBA, DAE and TSC examinations.

The meeting suggested certain changes in the grace marks policy in view of the fact that aggregate marks in technical courses, except for the TSC, are far more than the general education courses which should be awarded after completion of each course.

The moot was opened by SBTE Chairman Mohammad Saeed Siddiqui and attended, besides Mr Bhukhari, by Punjab Technical Board’s controller of examination Chaudhry Mohammad Jamil, NWFP Technical Board Chairman A. Ghaffar, who also holds the charge of controller of examinations, deputy controller of examinations of the Balochistan Technical, Intermediate and Secondary Education Board Syed Salman Shah.

SBTE Chairman Mohammad Saeed Siddiqui, speaking at the meeting, emphasised the need for promoting technical and vocational education in the country, and hoped that the controllers of examinations of all the technical boards of the country would ensure implementation of a uniform policy vis-à-vis assessment and promotion rules.