The longstanding demand of college teachers regarding increase in evaluation rates of paper marking for the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) is in limbo as repeated promised by FBISE Chairperson Dr. Shaheen Khan have not been fulfilled.

The paper marking practice was in full swing in the hottest months of June and July at FBISE and teachers sitting in chairs, perspired seemed highly depressed and frustrated for the low remuneration rates of paper marking. Teachers are hired annually for paper marking.

The teachers who do this vital task of paper marking are paid Rs.20 per answer script as evaluation charges. They are to take care of their own commutation, messing and stationery supplies as well during this job. As the system of education is still inflicted with traditional modes of examination and standardised assessment, teachers spend their summer vacation within the corridors of boards of education and assess answer scripts of the boards from morning to evening including Sundays to make the announcements of results possible at the stipulated time.

Teachers forum often raise voice against the poor working conditions and extremely low remuneration for this assessment work, but the board official turn deaf ear to these requests. With uncontrollable recent inflation, teachers claim it is no more possible for them to work on the same terms and conditions anymore.

Professor Tahir Mahmood spokesman for Federal Government College Teachers Association said, “The office-bearers of FGCTA met the higher authorities and presented composite demands in writing in 2011 and 2012 before the marking started. They agreed to increase the rates but so far no step has been take in this regard. The teachers had decided to stage protest when the authorities promised a reasonable increase in marking rates but now the teachers are still waiting for the outcome.

“FBISE has increased its registration and admission fees in the year 2011 at HSSC level. The teachers, an important tool of this machinery, are not benefiting from this increase. At present remuneration of assessment per script is Rs20, which is incompatible with ever growing inflation. It has not been revised for the last many years,” he added.

Professor Yasmeen Bokhari, head examiner in the subject of education said, “Since inflation has touched the double digit mark and the prices of the things of the daily use are soaring up day-by-day, today’s teacher is facing grim financial hardships and worries, which are adversely affecting his or her efficiency. In this era of dearness the financial position of the teachers is pathetic. She demanded that the assessment rates may be revised so that the teachers can focus on their professional responsibilities in the best possible manner.

A sub examiner, Ms Asma said, “With my scanty income, with inability to afford any reasonable transport, I had to move to FBISE daily in roasting high temperature in public vans. After facing this unbearable trial, I don’t get reasonable reward on marking answer scripts to relieve my pains and hardships thereof”.

Professor Tariq Mehmood Baloch, a representative of FGCTA said that paper marking is very difficult task, there are three parts in the question paper, which a candidate has to solve. It contains 20 MCQs in the 1st part, 21 short questions in the 2nd part and four long questions in part three. A teacher has to evaluate the answer script for Rs.20 only, which is unjustifiable. It should be Rs40. He has categorically said that if the remuneration is not raised teacher will boycott all the assignments of federal board in the next session. Any disruption in the timely announcement of results and its consequences will be sole responsibility of the board.