By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: The administration of Kinnaird College for Women on Wednesday terminated the services of three of its faculty members, repatriating four others to the Punjab government.
According to sources, the faculty members along with some others had pointed fingers at the alleged irregularities in recent admissions, besides showing strong resentment over the appointment of Naima Khursheed as the college’s registrar and head of examination department.
A faculty member, seeking anonymity, said the KC Board of Governors in its meeting held on December 5, had constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate different allegations leveled by some faculty members. The ‘action’ against teachers is being taken as a victimization act by the administration, the source said, adding that the teachers had reservation over the said committee as no representative from the education department was part of it.
The faculty members repatriated to the Higher Education Department include Saira Malik, Head of Political Science Department, Shibba Syed, Head of Urdu Department, Farrukh Sohail, Head of Islamic Studies Department and Helen Khokhar, Head of Physics Department
The faculty members whose contract services were terminated include Sadaf Munir and Asma Jamil from the Psychology Department and Zarina Rizvi from Urdu Department.
Talking to The News, Sadaf Munir said the teachers were victimized only because they had raised their voice against the administration’s unjust and unfair policies, including the appointment of Naima Khursheed as college’s registrar. She even claimed the said official was earlier removed by Queen Marry College over allegations of corruption. Sadaf Munir alleged the admissions were made even in October and November, despite the fact the process was completed in September. “They are replacing the best with the worst” she commented, saying those serving on contract were not issued any notices as required by the rules. She also alleged that the administration was asking the teachers to remain silent, issuing threats of consequences.
When contacted, KC Principal Dr Bernadette L Dean denied the allegations, saying no one was victimized. The college administration is free to keep or let someone go, the KC being a private institution, she added.
She said some faculty members were repatriated as the administration was planning to induct highly qualified teachers as faculty members. She said the position of registrar was advertised and the appointment was made purely on merit.
She refuted the allegation that contracts were yet not expired, saying Sadaf Munir had even applied for renewal of her contract.
Dr Dean said two of the faculty members were serving the college on contract after their retirement, adding one of them, Asma Jamil, had even asked her (Principal) to relieve her.
She said, during an interview with students sometime ago, she had held Jesus Christ, Nelson Mandela and Gandhi as her ideal, adding, unfortunately, some faculty members were busy in propaganda against her since then,
To a question, she said the fact-finding committee constituted by the KC BoG had yet to submit its report. Those leveling allegations had even taken a U-turn in the said meeting, claiming their signatures on complaints were forged, she said.
When contacted, Punjab Higher Education Department secretary Ahad Khan Cheema said the department had yet to receive the repatriation orders. However, he added, the KC principal was advised to hold-on until the inquiry committee submitted its report as the conduct of administration was under question.
“At this time, it simply looks like clash of interests”, he commented.
He said the KC was neither a government nor totally private institute, adding it was being run under a special arrangement with its representation from different government departments, including education, finance and law, on its BoG. Naima Khursheed was not available for comments.
Source: The News International
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Kinnaird College students complain of mismanagement in examinations
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE:Some students of the Kinnaird College for Women have pointed out insufficient arrangements in the ongoing internal examinations, alleging the mismanagement was creating problems for them.
Seeking anonymity for obvious reasons, they said the issue needed to be highlighted as they believed it was against the traditions of Kinnaird College (KC).
During a visit to the KC on Thursday, it was learnt that around 450 students in first shift and around 650 in the second were accommodated in five rooms for the exam, each room having the capacity of not more than 70 students.
Interestingly, only two teachers were performing the duties as invigilators, the students complained saying later three lower grade staffers of the principal office were also assigned the duty.
The students also complained that the shortage of photocopies of question papers remained a routine matter during the exams which added to their miseries. Such irresponsible attitude had exposed the credibility of the exams, they said.
Nevertheless, they said, Physics paper of FSc classes was delayed on last day of intermediate exams on Thursday for over 40 minutes, causing great anxiety among the students.
The Intermediate exams starting from December 8 concluded on December 17 (Thursday) while bachelors’ exams started from December 14 and would end on December 19 (Saturday).
They said the mismanagement during exams of senior students was quite unfortunate as unlike intermediate level students they were in fact attempting their semester wise annual exams.
It is pertinent to mention that KCites had been raising the issue regarding the lack of facilities in the college. The KC students also highlighted the issue of fee hike, lack of facilities during their protest in May, 2008, demanding the college administration provide maximum facilities to them.
A faculty member, seeking anonymity, said teachers of bachelors classes were appointed as invigilators at a time when classes of bachelor programmes were still going on, affecting the studies of students and causing delay in intermediate exams on daily basis.
This correspondent tried to contact KC Principal Dr Bernadette L Dean in her office on Thursday but was denied entry as she was busy in a meeting. Later, an effort on the principal’s cell phone also went futile as she did not attend the call.
However, talking to The News on cell phone on Wednesday, Dr Dean had denied any mismanagement in the exams. She said the exams were being held as per schedule as mentioned in the college prospectus.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Source: The News International
LAHORE:Some students of the Kinnaird College for Women have pointed out insufficient arrangements in the ongoing internal examinations, alleging the mismanagement was creating problems for them.
Seeking anonymity for obvious reasons, they said the issue needed to be highlighted as they believed it was against the traditions of Kinnaird College (KC).
During a visit to the KC on Thursday, it was learnt that around 450 students in first shift and around 650 in the second were accommodated in five rooms for the exam, each room having the capacity of not more than 70 students.
Interestingly, only two teachers were performing the duties as invigilators, the students complained saying later three lower grade staffers of the principal office were also assigned the duty.
The students also complained that the shortage of photocopies of question papers remained a routine matter during the exams which added to their miseries. Such irresponsible attitude had exposed the credibility of the exams, they said.
Nevertheless, they said, Physics paper of FSc classes was delayed on last day of intermediate exams on Thursday for over 40 minutes, causing great anxiety among the students.
The Intermediate exams starting from December 8 concluded on December 17 (Thursday) while bachelors’ exams started from December 14 and would end on December 19 (Saturday).
They said the mismanagement during exams of senior students was quite unfortunate as unlike intermediate level students they were in fact attempting their semester wise annual exams.
It is pertinent to mention that KCites had been raising the issue regarding the lack of facilities in the college. The KC students also highlighted the issue of fee hike, lack of facilities during their protest in May, 2008, demanding the college administration provide maximum facilities to them.
A faculty member, seeking anonymity, said teachers of bachelors classes were appointed as invigilators at a time when classes of bachelor programmes were still going on, affecting the studies of students and causing delay in intermediate exams on daily basis.
This correspondent tried to contact KC Principal Dr Bernadette L Dean in her office on Thursday but was denied entry as she was busy in a meeting. Later, an effort on the principal’s cell phone also went futile as she did not attend the call.
However, talking to The News on cell phone on Wednesday, Dr Dean had denied any mismanagement in the exams. She said the exams were being held as per schedule as mentioned in the college prospectus.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Source: The News International
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
People question donation collection by private schools
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: AS more and more people have been opting to send their kids to private sector schools in the wake of low quality education and deteriorating standard of public schools, many are getting upset because of certain “unwanted” practices of these private institutions. Besides complaining about heavy amount charged at the time of admission, people have been expressing concern over heavy fee structure and collection of extra funds under various heads on regular basis.The compulsory purchase of books, uniform and other stationery items from prescribed stores by some of the elite schools are some of the other practices, which have been inviting stakeholders’ criticism over the years.However, there are different opinions over collection of donations on part of private schools by students for various noble causes such as helping flood or quake affectees.There are those who favour the move saying such practices motivate the young minds to help people caught in trouble. “It teaches students that how to contribute for rehabilitation and welfare of fellow human beings,” believes Aleem whose son goes to a leading private school.He further said the school management, where his child was studying, used to ask students to bring donations in case the country faced a catastrophe like recent earthquake in Balochistan and floods in various parts of the country. He added, “Though most of the students do not donate from their own pocket yet they learn how to help those caught in trouble.”Nevertheless, there are those who are against the collection of donations by students saying no one should be forced to contribute. “It is unfortunate that most of the schools make it mandatory for students to bring donations, which is totally wrong,” believes Ali whose children go to an elite school too.He said schools must not make it compulsory for students to bring donations, adding in case someone donates less than others he/she is faced with inferiority complex. “This may put students into an embarrassing situation if they cannot arrange money because of one reason or the other,” he added.“I don’t mean that one should not help those who are in trouble but the point is no one should be compelled rather one should be let to share as he/she likes to,” he further added.He said, “The elite schools generate huge funds then why their management do not donate themselves.” Academic circles are also critical of unbridled working of the private schools. Referring to the Punjab government’s ongoing efforts to amend the Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) Ordinance 1984, they have urged the government to take into account all the factors in this connection.At the same time, they have also urged the government to uplift standard of government schools. They believe it is unfortunate that at present the competition is among private schools only as far as quality education is concerned, saying efforts should be made to ensure a comeback of government schools in this competition.
Source: The News International
Monday, January 26, 2009
LAHORE: AS more and more people have been opting to send their kids to private sector schools in the wake of low quality education and deteriorating standard of public schools, many are getting upset because of certain “unwanted” practices of these private institutions. Besides complaining about heavy amount charged at the time of admission, people have been expressing concern over heavy fee structure and collection of extra funds under various heads on regular basis.The compulsory purchase of books, uniform and other stationery items from prescribed stores by some of the elite schools are some of the other practices, which have been inviting stakeholders’ criticism over the years.However, there are different opinions over collection of donations on part of private schools by students for various noble causes such as helping flood or quake affectees.There are those who favour the move saying such practices motivate the young minds to help people caught in trouble. “It teaches students that how to contribute for rehabilitation and welfare of fellow human beings,” believes Aleem whose son goes to a leading private school.He further said the school management, where his child was studying, used to ask students to bring donations in case the country faced a catastrophe like recent earthquake in Balochistan and floods in various parts of the country. He added, “Though most of the students do not donate from their own pocket yet they learn how to help those caught in trouble.”Nevertheless, there are those who are against the collection of donations by students saying no one should be forced to contribute. “It is unfortunate that most of the schools make it mandatory for students to bring donations, which is totally wrong,” believes Ali whose children go to an elite school too.He said schools must not make it compulsory for students to bring donations, adding in case someone donates less than others he/she is faced with inferiority complex. “This may put students into an embarrassing situation if they cannot arrange money because of one reason or the other,” he added.“I don’t mean that one should not help those who are in trouble but the point is no one should be compelled rather one should be let to share as he/she likes to,” he further added.He said, “The elite schools generate huge funds then why their management do not donate themselves.” Academic circles are also critical of unbridled working of the private schools. Referring to the Punjab government’s ongoing efforts to amend the Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) Ordinance 1984, they have urged the government to take into account all the factors in this connection.At the same time, they have also urged the government to uplift standard of government schools. They believe it is unfortunate that at present the competition is among private schools only as far as quality education is concerned, saying efforts should be made to ensure a comeback of government schools in this competition.
Source: The News International
Monday, January 26, 2009
HRM a challenge to education dept
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: HUMAN resource management is one of the major challenges to the authorities of Education Department in Punjab.Despite the fact that the department has been bifurcated into the School Education Department and the Higher Education Department, there is no proper management of the human resource by the authorities concerned. That is why a shortage of teachers and heads of schools and colleges and other staff is frequently reported, especially in institutions situated in far-flung areas. Another important factor related to this ‘mismanagement’ is reluctance of those teachers to teach in schools and colleges for teaching who have served on administrative posts. It is generally observed that most of teachers who are posted against such posts on deputation reluctantly join teaching later and always wait to be posted on coveted managerial posts.Political influence and teacher’s connections in power corridors are believed to be the main hurdles in proper human resource management as the teachers manipulate the authorities to avail the best opportunities. This is quite evident from the fact that dozens of administrators have been awaiting posting for the last many months after their services were placed at the Education department’s disposal for further posting when the PML-N government came into power in the province in 2008. According to sources in both the departments there are 500 high schools in the province, which are functioning without regular heads. Besides, around 100 colleges are working without regular principals.It is important to mention here that after revival of the divisional commissioners in the province, the Higher Education Department and the School Education Department have been working to revive the divisional directorate of colleges and schools. Under the revived system, directors would be appointed at each division. The sources further said a number of senior teachers who had been awaiting posting for the last many months have “succeeded” in getting their names cleared for posting against the new administrative posts. “The department high-ups could not post these senior teachers in schools despite the fact there was a dire need at various institutions,” the sources said, adding: “The use of political influence cannot be ruled out in this regard.”The academic circles are critical of human resource ‘mismanagement’ at the Education department and they are of the opinion that the government should evolve a comprehensive and transparent policy for the department. Meanwhile, a meeting of the National Curriculum Revision Committee (NCRC) of the Higher Education Commission was held at the commission’s regional centre here last week, which reviewed the existing syllabus of the discipline of Social Work being taught at the institutions of higher learning of the country.The committee reviewed the existing syllabus of the discipline and, after having detailed discussion, developed a new curriculum comprising compulsory, foundation, major and elective courses. The committee members were advised to discuss the developed curriculum within their faculty and send the recommendations to the HEC to finalise the same in the forthcoming meeting. The committee unanimously decided now the degree programme of BS Social Work would be of four years and the subjects of modern day importance like environment, disaster management, poverty, financial management, health hygiene, human rights, gender development, social mobilization and participatory development would be included in the revised curriculum. For effective implementation of BS 4-year programme, the committee recommended that the departments of Social Work at all public sector universities of the country would be equipped with facilities like highly qualified faculties, teachers training, research, computer labs, modern libraries and sufficient infrastructure.The committee recommended that a National Council of Social Work should be established under the umbrella of the HEC to enable students of social work to face new challenges of the modern world. It was also decided that the committee would again meet after two months to finalise the draft of the curriculum.—- lachvee@gmail.com
Source: The News International
Monday, February 09, 2009
LAHORE: HUMAN resource management is one of the major challenges to the authorities of Education Department in Punjab.Despite the fact that the department has been bifurcated into the School Education Department and the Higher Education Department, there is no proper management of the human resource by the authorities concerned. That is why a shortage of teachers and heads of schools and colleges and other staff is frequently reported, especially in institutions situated in far-flung areas. Another important factor related to this ‘mismanagement’ is reluctance of those teachers to teach in schools and colleges for teaching who have served on administrative posts. It is generally observed that most of teachers who are posted against such posts on deputation reluctantly join teaching later and always wait to be posted on coveted managerial posts.Political influence and teacher’s connections in power corridors are believed to be the main hurdles in proper human resource management as the teachers manipulate the authorities to avail the best opportunities. This is quite evident from the fact that dozens of administrators have been awaiting posting for the last many months after their services were placed at the Education department’s disposal for further posting when the PML-N government came into power in the province in 2008. According to sources in both the departments there are 500 high schools in the province, which are functioning without regular heads. Besides, around 100 colleges are working without regular principals.It is important to mention here that after revival of the divisional commissioners in the province, the Higher Education Department and the School Education Department have been working to revive the divisional directorate of colleges and schools. Under the revived system, directors would be appointed at each division. The sources further said a number of senior teachers who had been awaiting posting for the last many months have “succeeded” in getting their names cleared for posting against the new administrative posts. “The department high-ups could not post these senior teachers in schools despite the fact there was a dire need at various institutions,” the sources said, adding: “The use of political influence cannot be ruled out in this regard.”The academic circles are critical of human resource ‘mismanagement’ at the Education department and they are of the opinion that the government should evolve a comprehensive and transparent policy for the department. Meanwhile, a meeting of the National Curriculum Revision Committee (NCRC) of the Higher Education Commission was held at the commission’s regional centre here last week, which reviewed the existing syllabus of the discipline of Social Work being taught at the institutions of higher learning of the country.The committee reviewed the existing syllabus of the discipline and, after having detailed discussion, developed a new curriculum comprising compulsory, foundation, major and elective courses. The committee members were advised to discuss the developed curriculum within their faculty and send the recommendations to the HEC to finalise the same in the forthcoming meeting. The committee unanimously decided now the degree programme of BS Social Work would be of four years and the subjects of modern day importance like environment, disaster management, poverty, financial management, health hygiene, human rights, gender development, social mobilization and participatory development would be included in the revised curriculum. For effective implementation of BS 4-year programme, the committee recommended that the departments of Social Work at all public sector universities of the country would be equipped with facilities like highly qualified faculties, teachers training, research, computer labs, modern libraries and sufficient infrastructure.The committee recommended that a National Council of Social Work should be established under the umbrella of the HEC to enable students of social work to face new challenges of the modern world. It was also decided that the committee would again meet after two months to finalise the draft of the curriculum.—- lachvee@gmail.com
Source: The News International
Monday, February 09, 2009
Public schools to offer vocational training
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: THE Punjab government has decided to introduce vocational training courses in selected schools of the province in a bid to train schoolchildren in employable skills.The plan envisages imparting vocational training to students of Class 6 and above by providing them with hands-on experience in electronics, woodwork and plumbing etc. In institutions for girls, courses in stitching and dress designing would be offered.At present, technical education and vocational training courses are being offered only at institutions running under the administrative control of the Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) and the Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC).Senior officials of the Punjab Schools Education Department told The News that representatives of the department and the TEVTA were meeting to discuss the launch of vocational training in public sector schools. They said in the first phase, the programme would be launched in 100 schools in each district of the province and this programme would be extended with the passage of time.They said the TEVTA had agreed in principle that it would train schoolteachers. They said the initiative was being taken on special directions of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.They said funding issues were being discussed these days and according to estimates, Rs 100,000 would be allocated for each school to ensure availability of necessary equipment needed to launch the programme.A senior official of the department requesting anonymity said the basic idea behind the initiative was to impart vocational training to students in addition to general education so that in case if a student fails to continue general education, he/she might be able to have employable skills needed for technical jobs.Talking to The News, Schools Education Department Secretary Nadeem Ashraf said efforts would be made to introduce vocational training courses in maximum schools from new academic session starting from March 2009.He said special classes of vocational training would be organised in schools and students of Class 6 and above would be offered these courses. He said the department had set a target to introduce vocational courses in 3,500 schools across the province by 2010 academic session.
Source: The News International
Saturday, January 31, 2009
LAHORE: THE Punjab government has decided to introduce vocational training courses in selected schools of the province in a bid to train schoolchildren in employable skills.The plan envisages imparting vocational training to students of Class 6 and above by providing them with hands-on experience in electronics, woodwork and plumbing etc. In institutions for girls, courses in stitching and dress designing would be offered.At present, technical education and vocational training courses are being offered only at institutions running under the administrative control of the Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) and the Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC).Senior officials of the Punjab Schools Education Department told The News that representatives of the department and the TEVTA were meeting to discuss the launch of vocational training in public sector schools. They said in the first phase, the programme would be launched in 100 schools in each district of the province and this programme would be extended with the passage of time.They said the TEVTA had agreed in principle that it would train schoolteachers. They said the initiative was being taken on special directions of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.They said funding issues were being discussed these days and according to estimates, Rs 100,000 would be allocated for each school to ensure availability of necessary equipment needed to launch the programme.A senior official of the department requesting anonymity said the basic idea behind the initiative was to impart vocational training to students in addition to general education so that in case if a student fails to continue general education, he/she might be able to have employable skills needed for technical jobs.Talking to The News, Schools Education Department Secretary Nadeem Ashraf said efforts would be made to introduce vocational training courses in maximum schools from new academic session starting from March 2009.He said special classes of vocational training would be organised in schools and students of Class 6 and above would be offered these courses. He said the department had set a target to introduce vocational courses in 3,500 schools across the province by 2010 academic session.
Source: The News International
Saturday, January 31, 2009
PPSC for transparent system of hiring at universities
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: THE Punjab Public Service Commission’s proposals to ensure fair and transparent hiring at public universities were presented before the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday.These proposals were submitted to the Chancellor/ Punjab Governor in PPSC Annual Report 2007. The PPSC had said that it had received complaints about favouritism and nepotism in the hiring process at public universities.According to the report, the acts/ordinances of the universities in the province required presence of a member of the Punjab Public Service Commission in the Selection Boards. The provision was incorporated to ensure neutrality, transparency and equity in the selection process, it said.“Most of universities have failed to frame rules, regulations and procedures for a fair and transparent selection,” it said and added that “the participating members of the PPSC are constrained to perform their duties effectively because of either lack of information or not supplying it altogether for proper examination and scrutiny.”The report read that an inquiry had revealed that universities invariably did not even send agenda and minutes of the meeting of the Selection Boards to the Commission for the purpose of checking their veracity. Unfortunately universities even do not have a mechanism to redress maladministration, it added.The PPSC has proposed the Governor/ Chancellor to circulate these instructions to universities. It said all universities should submit their laws, rules and regulations and procedures for selection to the PPSC for scrutiny and examination inviting proposals/ comments for their improvement/ amendments.It proposed that scrutiny of applications should be conducted by a neutral committee of a university headed by the registrar in accordance with conditions of eligibility advertised. It also proposed that rejection letters should be issued to ineligible candidates giving opportunity of appeal within 10 days to the vice-chancellor. The commission report also proposed that only approved minutes by the members of the Selection Boards be submitted to the Syndicate for approval and after its approval the results be declared and issued to the press, displayed on the notice board and websites of universities.The PPSC report also highlights that the standard of professional competence and general awareness of the candidates is continuously on the slide.Maintaining that the PPSC is a statutory body designed to assist the provincial government in selecting human resources for its smooth functioning, the report states the Commission has observed that education standard of the applicants has been on the decline. It reveals that the percentage of failure is the highest in the subject of English. “Mushroom growth of private educational institutions, affiliated with universities without due diligence and adherence to minimum norms and standards, have resulted in the low quality pass outs”, the Commission observes.The report says that educational system was neither need-based nor demand driven resulting in wastage of financial as well as human resources adding graduate pass outs appear to be a perpetual drag on the society. “The impressive academic credentials do not match with the performance both in written exam and interview, with the result that 1,179 posts remained unfilled during 2007 despite high rates of educated unemployed”, the reports claims.The PPSC has underscored the need of quality education at universities, colleges and schools. It has also recommended a uniform system of evaluation for examinations at universities and colleges awarding degrees with a view to reduce the disproportionate edge candidates have owing to marking standards.
Source: The News International
Friday, February 06, 2009
LAHORE: THE Punjab Public Service Commission’s proposals to ensure fair and transparent hiring at public universities were presented before the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday.These proposals were submitted to the Chancellor/ Punjab Governor in PPSC Annual Report 2007. The PPSC had said that it had received complaints about favouritism and nepotism in the hiring process at public universities.According to the report, the acts/ordinances of the universities in the province required presence of a member of the Punjab Public Service Commission in the Selection Boards. The provision was incorporated to ensure neutrality, transparency and equity in the selection process, it said.“Most of universities have failed to frame rules, regulations and procedures for a fair and transparent selection,” it said and added that “the participating members of the PPSC are constrained to perform their duties effectively because of either lack of information or not supplying it altogether for proper examination and scrutiny.”The report read that an inquiry had revealed that universities invariably did not even send agenda and minutes of the meeting of the Selection Boards to the Commission for the purpose of checking their veracity. Unfortunately universities even do not have a mechanism to redress maladministration, it added.The PPSC has proposed the Governor/ Chancellor to circulate these instructions to universities. It said all universities should submit their laws, rules and regulations and procedures for selection to the PPSC for scrutiny and examination inviting proposals/ comments for their improvement/ amendments.It proposed that scrutiny of applications should be conducted by a neutral committee of a university headed by the registrar in accordance with conditions of eligibility advertised. It also proposed that rejection letters should be issued to ineligible candidates giving opportunity of appeal within 10 days to the vice-chancellor. The commission report also proposed that only approved minutes by the members of the Selection Boards be submitted to the Syndicate for approval and after its approval the results be declared and issued to the press, displayed on the notice board and websites of universities.The PPSC report also highlights that the standard of professional competence and general awareness of the candidates is continuously on the slide.Maintaining that the PPSC is a statutory body designed to assist the provincial government in selecting human resources for its smooth functioning, the report states the Commission has observed that education standard of the applicants has been on the decline. It reveals that the percentage of failure is the highest in the subject of English. “Mushroom growth of private educational institutions, affiliated with universities without due diligence and adherence to minimum norms and standards, have resulted in the low quality pass outs”, the Commission observes.The report says that educational system was neither need-based nor demand driven resulting in wastage of financial as well as human resources adding graduate pass outs appear to be a perpetual drag on the society. “The impressive academic credentials do not match with the performance both in written exam and interview, with the result that 1,179 posts remained unfilled during 2007 despite high rates of educated unemployed”, the reports claims.The PPSC has underscored the need of quality education at universities, colleges and schools. It has also recommended a uniform system of evaluation for examinations at universities and colleges awarding degrees with a view to reduce the disproportionate edge candidates have owing to marking standards.
Source: The News International
Friday, February 06, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Major changes likely in BA/BSc, MA/MSc exams
By Khalid Khattak
Major structural changes in the Punjab University’s BA/BSc and MA/MSc examinations are in the offing and are likely to be applied to those candidates who will appear in these exams from varsity’s affiliated colleges or privately from this year.These changes include reorganisation of aggregate system of marking, allowing those candidates of BA/BSc for supplementary exam who fail in two papers and introduction of supplementary exam at MA/MSc level.It is important to mention here that students and teachers have been criticising the PU administration for introducing 45 per cent of aggregate at MA/MSc level a couple of years ago. Under this system, 40 per cent is pass marks of each paper while a candidate has to make 45 per cent total aggregate to pass the exams, which means if a candidate even gets 40 or 41 marks in each of the five papers of MA/MSc, he/she is considered fail.This aggregate system was introduced in 2005 during tenure of VC Lt Gen (Retd) Arshad Mehmood but despite strong resentment from students and teachers, the PU administration could not change it and students continued to suffer. Similarly, students and teachers have been expressing concerns regarding non-availability of an important option for private candidates and those of affiliated colleges of the Punjab University i.e. supplementary exams at MA/MSc level. At present, if a candidate fails in any one subject of MA/MSc exams, he/she has to wait for almost a year to sit in the annual exam, as PU does not offer supplementary exams at this level. Undoubtedly, this has been delaying the youth to start their professional careers, while its worst impact on female students, keeping in view prevailing social norms, could not be ignored. The third major structural change on the cards is allowing all those candidates of BA/BSc exams to sit in supplementary exams who would fail in two subjects. At present, a candidate who fails in only one subject in BA/BSc annual exams is eligible to appear in supplementary exam while all those failing in more than one subject have to appear in annual exam. A senior PU official said keeping in view growing concern of the students and their parents, the university administration was seriously mulling over to bring reforms in the examination system. He said PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran had held several meetings with the Controller of Examinations Zahid Kareem in this connection recently. He further said the supplementary exams at MA/MSc level would also help the university to generate revenue, adding it was too important since universities were facing severe cuts in grants from the government.A consensus has been developed to bring revolutionary changes in the examination system so that candidates might be facilitated to the maximum extent and they might not suffer because of the system, he added.Zahid Kareem talking to The News said there had been deliberations on several important and possible changes in exams at BA/BSc and MA/MSc level. He said issues like aggregate system and supplementary exams would soon be placed before the academic council for final approval.
Source: The News International
Monday, February 02, 2009
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