Officials working to solve problems and give grades within a week, say controlling exams
The results, announced last week, only showed whether students passed or failed in individual subjects, without giving academic or overall marks. PHOTO: ET
The Board of Secondary Education Karachi is facing criticism for its “outdated and unprofessional practices” after the release of Class IX results for the Science and General groups. Over 175,000 students have been left in a state of confusion and distress as BSEK has failed to provide detailed mark sheets, leaving them unaware of their actual results.
The results, published last week, only showed whether students passed or failed individual subjects, without giving academic or overall grades. BSEK has stated that detailed mark sheets will not be available for at least two more weeks, preventing students from calculating their overall percentage or position.
This approach has received much criticism from students, teachers and parents alike. This is in stark contrast to modern assessment systems such as those of Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) and the Punjab Boards, which issue provisional mark sheets along with the results clearly showing both subject and aggregate marks.
In an ironic twist, the result announcement coincided with a meeting of Karachi’s education boards to discuss the digitization of assessments, including introduction of e-marking and a new grading system.
BSEK Chairman Ghulam Hussain Saho attended the meeting where discussions focused on the future of digital assessments. But despite claims of progress towards e-marking and computer-based evaluation, the board failed to deliver even the most basic digital transparency in the publication of results.
BSEK sources revealed that IT chief Muhammad Irfan accompanied the chairman to Islamabad immediately after the results were announced, leaving newly hired IT analyst Sain Dad without sufficient authority or guidance. Exams officer Hamza Tagar, who took up his post just three months ago, acknowledged the systemic shortcomings.
speaks to Express PakinomistTagar stated: “We are aware of the issues and are working to resolve them. I have asked the IT staff and we are committed to ensuring that students will be able to access their grades within a week.”
Educators have pointed out that this ineffectiveness reflects a broader issue of mismanagement at the board. Haider Ali, president of All Private Schools and Colleges Association, expressed his displeasure: “In Punjab, when the first year results are announced, students immediately receive provisional mark sheets with subject-wise details. Here not only the marks are withheld, but even the total score is not disclosed – this is completely unjustified.”
Further investigation of Express Pakinomist revealed that the Class IX Science Group maths papers – which were originally meant to be assessed through the e-mark system – were instead checked manually. Despite investing millions of rupees in printing e-marking-compliant answer sheets, the board failed to make the necessary logistical arrangements or outsource the checking process. As a result, the much talked about e-marking initiative has effectively collapsed, wasting significant public funds and increasing frustration among students and parents.
