Exam marking system reforms likely

LAHORE
The marking system, one of the most common concerns among students, is most likely to see certain structural reforms in Punjab in the wake of ongoing deliberations by the Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Education.
The Standing Committee on Education, headed by Engr Qamar-Ul-Islam, has held some marathon meetings over marking system of examination boards and universities of the province in the recent past. A few more are scheduled to be held after Eid holidays.
The issue related to marking system was raised by MPA Amjad Javaid through an adjournment motion a couple of months ago which on approval of the house was assigned to standing committee on education by Punjab Assembly Speaker. There have been many incidents in the past in which students expressing dissatisfaction over marking of their papers committed suicides.
Sources privy to the developments said Engr Qamar-Ul-Islam, known for his commitment, had given due weight to the issue which was haunting millions of students of Punjab. They added as remarking could never be an option under any circumstance, the standing committee’s chairperson was all for introducing reforms which could really make the system of marking perfect or at least flawless to the maximum extent.
The sources further said the standing committee noted with serious concern as to why the School Education Department, unlike the Higher Education Department, was showing least interest in the affairs of examination boards as these boards were not receiving good stuff from schools for duties including monitoring of examinations and marking of papers from the school side.
The standing committee also noted that low remuneration was being paid to examiners for marking of papers especially by the nine examination boards. The committee has now directed officials from universities and exam boards to come up with a detailed financial report in the next meeting.
The sources further said in the last meeting Engr Qamar-Ul-Islam had summoned controller of examination of two universities of Punjab, as well as chairpersons of two Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISEs) but neither the two chairmen boards nor the controller of examination of University of the Punjab turned up.
The sources said it was despite the fact Secretary Higher Education (HED) Department was entrusted with the task of ensuring their presence. They added it was therefore Engr Qamar-Ul-Islam had now directed that Secretary HED should personally appear before the committee while assuring the presence of all those summoned officers in the meeting to be held after Eid holidays. They added the standing committee has the court’s power to ensure implementation of its directives.
The sources further said the standing committee would forward its recommendations to the house which would be finally forwarded to the government for subsequent action.