RAWALPINDI: Due to extreme negligence of concerned authorities, around five hundred students of Rawalpindi have missed the first month of the ongoing academic session.

According to the official record of education department, 406 students of eighth grade and 100 students of fifth grade have not been able to continue their studies as they are still waiting for their ‘missing’ results, Dawn has learnt.

The results for the annual primary and middle examinations were announced by the Punjab Examination Commission (PEC) on March 31; however, the results of these students were missing.

“I have failed understand why PEC is not issuing my result, the academic session started from April 1, my other class fellows are enjoying studies in next class, but I am not allowed to sit in the class without my result card,” said Muhammad Ali, a grieved student.

A source in the education department said that since the academic session has already started from April 1, the unfortunate students will face problems in getting admissions and competing with the class fellows even if they are issued their results now. This means that their entire year has fallen prey to education department’s negligence, the source claimed.

The source further added that many of these students have shown distrust on government run educational institutions and have taken admissions in private institutions.

He also mentioned that PEC officials have repeatedly ignored the called made by the education department of Rawalpindi, to know about the missing results.

On the other hand, everyday, dozens of students can be seen visiting various education offices including the office of executive district officer (EDO) for education in district Rawalpindi to inquire about their results.

“In gazette, they are either in ‘missing marks’ category or ‘results late’ category. Obviously the future of these students is at stake,” said Waqar Qureshi, an officer of education department who is supposed to coordinate with PEC regarding this issue.

To a query, he said that the concerned officers of PEC avoid the calls made by the education department of Rawalpindi.

Local member of National Assembly, Sheikh Rashid, said, “This constitutes as criminal negligence of education department, future of about 500 students is hanging in balance but no one is taking this issue seriously,” he said, adding that this is a violation of human rights as well since minor students have been facing tremendous mental pressure without committing any sin.

Speaking to Dawn, EDO Education Qazi Zahoorul Haq, also confirmed tha around 500 students are waiting for their missing results. “What can I do? I have taken up this issue with PEC, time and again, but to no avail so far. On April 15, I forwarded the applications and particulars of the students to PEC Lahore, but nothing has happened so far,” he said.

The EDO noted that the delay in the results will destroy the careers of these students. “No doubt, it is a big loss of the students. When PEC issues their result, I will play my due role to get them admissions in the government run schools.”

PEC operational manager, Afshan Zafar, despite repeated attempts could not be approached.