Online exams not possible in Pakistan, former HEC chairman says

ISLAMABAD: Former chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Mukhtar Ahmed on Thursday said that exams cannot be held online amid the nationwide protests against in-person assessments launched by universities.

The former HEC chief made these remarks while talking to Geo Pakistan on the issue which has become a hot topic on social media since the government's announcement to reopen higher educational institutes from February.

Students have staged protests in Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar demanding the authorities hold online exams as classes were also being held online. They are also urging the government to provide a discount in tuition fees.

Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said that this is the "prerogative of the concerned authority or the teacher to decide how it wants to take the exam."

“There are multiple assessment methods including online but the demand by the students that exams be taken according to their wishes is not justified and it sends a wrong message to the world,” he said.

“It shows a lack of confidence between students and teachers.”

Responding to a question, the educationist said that this [online] new mode of education has "exposed teachers as well because many of them could not deliver according to the requirement."

“Online teaching included lecture delivery, students' participation in the class, and content development for maximum understanding. There’s a need for training of teachers but it would take time.”

He said that teachers  "are still not ready for this and the authorities should have taken this seriously during the previous lockdown."