Young students have it tough

By Khalid Khattak

ONE of the bitter facts about primary (Class-5) and middle standard (Class-8) annual examinations, scheduled in February 2009, is that the young candidates will attempt the exams based on knowledge they have gained in four months.These students were supposed to take annual examinations after attending their schools for one full academic year but change in start of academic session has now put these young minds in trouble. Such a disappointing situation aptly exposes what happens when the stakeholders are not consulted in policymaking. A few years ago, the federal government had changed its policy regarding start of academic session from September following which admission season started to commence from March. However soon after the said decision, provinces started to raise concern over the change on the plea under September-start session exams were conducted in hot seasons like May and June.The government had to face a lot of criticism and finally the decision was reverted and it was agreed that from 2009 onward academic session would commence from March across the country. It is because of this change that those who were admitted to schools in September 2008 would be attempting the annual exams of primary and middle standard in February 2009.The unpleasant impact of prolonged loadshedding, owing to prevailing power crisis, is nevertheless another bitter fact in connection with students’ preparation for the exams. Talking to The News parents of a number of students expressed concern in connection with upcoming exams of Class-5 and Class-8 to be conducted on uniform/universal basis across the province by the Punjab Examination Commission (PEC).They said it was strange that students who had attended their schools for almost four months would be examined from a course which was meant to be taught to them during the whole academic year. Muhammad Aleem, a concerned father, said, “It is tragic that stakeholders are not involved in policy making in our country,” adding “That’s why each time a policy is reverted the stakeholders have to suffer.” He said those who got admission in September 2008 were not ready for February 2009 exams. He added if weekly, winter and other holidays were excluded from this period; the students had approximately four months study time.“However the provincial government has no other option but to test the young minds as this year the academic session would commence from March”, he added.Another concerned citizen, Arshad, said the horrific impact of prevailing loadshedding on students’ performance in the upcoming exams could not be ignored. He further said delay in provision of textbooks to the students had also been a concern of poor parents. “All these factors, no doubt, would hamper performance of the students in upcoming exams”, he added.“All these facts exposes as if the government is making mockery of the education system”, he added.Academic circles have also expressed concern over non-involvement of stakeholders in the policy urging the government to always seek input of students and teachers in shaping any educational policy.

Source: The News International
Monday, January 12, 2009