O, A Level students have approached Sindh High Court (SHC) opposing federal government’s decision to hold examinations during COVID-19 pandemic.
As per details, SHC has accepted students’ plea with the division bench, headed by Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar issuing notices to the federal education ministry, the Cambridge Assessment International Education and the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).
The petition opposing government’s decision to hold Cambridge examinations as per schedule has been filed by Sehar Fatima and others. The petitioners have contended that government has suspended board exams whereas contrastingly it is adamant on holding Cambridge examinations as per schedule.
It is to be noted that A and AS level exams are scheduled to begin on on April 26th with the O level exams scheduled to start from May 10th.
The development comes as earlier, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on April 6th, had categorically turned down any possibility of postponing of Cambridge examinations.
The federal minister had argued that ‘these students are very less (compared to students of local education boards in Pakistan).
In the Education Ministers conference today it was also decided unanimously that all exams will take place. A/ AS and O level date sheets have already been announced. Classes 9 to 12 exam dates will be announced by respective boards but will be after Eid
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) April 6, 2021
Decisions regarding exams are final. Students should start preparing and working hard. This decision will not be changed so no one should have any uncertainty in their mind. Everything has been done keeping interest of education in mind. My very best wishes to everyone
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) April 6, 2021
On average, 4,000 students were giving Cambridge exams in a day. He said there were very less days when 10,000-12,000 O/A level students would give exams.
Meanwhile, in contrast nearly four million students across Pakistan are expected to appear in board exams for 9, 10, 11 and 12 grades.
