Exams deferred but educational institutions to remain open today

Karachi
Despite the announcement by the Sindh government to observe a day of mourning on Thursday (Today) over killing of around 45 innocent people in a bus attack, provincial Education Minister Nisar Khuhro has decided that educational institutions across the province would remain open.
All schools, colleges, technical educational centres and universities would remain open in Sindh and conduct classes as per their routine, while scheduled exams should also take place as per their timetable, he stressed.
The minister hoped that there should be no external interference or pressure on educational institutions who remain. “With the power of pen and education, we will combat terrorism. Regardless of situation, the process of educational activities should go on come what may.”
The decision to keep educational centres ‘open’ was made as per recommendations at meeting held on March 19, 2015 between the Sindh education department and different associations of private schools that had agreed to address the longstanding issue of closure of schools in the wake of protests, strike calls and days of mourning by discouraging it in future.
However, the parents and management of private schools were unclear about the situation on Thursday as nobody could predict anything about law and order situation in the metropolis.
Most private schools operating near the University of Karachi (KU) and around Gulistan-e-Jauhar called off the teaching process soon after the news of attack started flashing on TV channels. “My son is a student of Usman Public School System, Campus-X, located near main University Road in front of KU. I received a call from the school in the morning to pick-up my son. I questioned them what had happened over which I was told about the tragic incident. There was no power supply in the area and that was why I had no idea what had just happened,” Mrs Shazia Zeeshan told The News.
Warda Salman, a mother of two daughters, told this correspondent that she received a call from her husband who was at his office tellling her to rush to the school located near Sharea-e-Quaideen and pick up our child.
“I was unaware about the horrible incident as we usually turn on television set in evening only and had no idea about the situation.” About Thursday, the management of many schools have asked parents to call them first before sending their children and remain in touch with them in case in case there occurs any emergency.

BSEK, BIEK exams
Despite the education minister’s directives, the Board of Secondary Educational Karachi has postponed all scheduled practical and theory exams.
BSEK Controller of Examinations Noman Ahsan said the Secondary School Certificate Annual Examinations-2015 practical examinations scheduled for Thursday have been postponed after the deadly attack on a bus.
The BSEK has also rescheduled the papers to be hold for special candidates and new dates would be declared soon. He also announced that assessment centres would also remain closed for a day.
The Board of Intermediate Education Karachi also postponed theory exams scheduled for candidates of Higher Secondary School Certificate, Annual Examinations-2015, Humanities (Regular and Private) Group on Thursday as well as practicals for students of pre-science (medical and engineering groups) and science general groups.

KU papers postponed
The KU also deferred its papers scheduled to be held on Thursday and announced that new examination dates would be made public soon.