ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top education body has decided to promote all the matric, intermediate students amid the prevailing covid situation.
Reports in local media quoting sources said all students will be declared pass and 33 percent marks will be awarded to them if they fail in any of the subjects.
The surprising development came following the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) which was presided over by federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood.
Education ministers from all provinces agreed that students had a tough time in academics besides preparing for their exams amid the ongoing Covid pandemic.
PTI Minister and NCOC chief Shafqat Mahmood said 33 percent marks would be awarded if a student failed any subject adding that the decision related to exams and results had been taken unanimously in the meeting.
He also mentioned that there would be no reduced syllabus anymore and exams would be held as per schedule.“I would request students to fully focus on their studies as there would be no reduced syllabus this academic session,” he added.
Meanwhile, authorities decided to commence the academic session from August every year while board exams would be conducted in May-June instead of March and April. The officials also decided to conduct exams board exams twice a year – starting next year however, the exams will not be termed supplementary exams.
Earlier, students across Pakistan staged protests against the government’s decision to hold in-person exams of classes 10 and 12.
Students gathered for their cancellation of exam in Capital.#CancelExamsSaveLives pic.twitter.com/MAKYoLLC8O
— Ali (@SaimAli_00) May 29, 2021
Students took to the streets soon after the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) said that examinations for classes 10 and 12 will be held between June 23 and July 29. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Federal Minister Asad Umar and National Coordinator.
The agitating students demanded the federal and provincial education ministers to reconsider their decision in light of the ongoing Covid situation. “If classes were held online, then the examinations should also be conducted online,” the students said.
Meanwhile, the authorities started the Covid vaccination of 15-year-olds. “Teens below the age of 18 will have to produce their B-form for registration,” Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr. Nausheen Hamid announced.
The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), which supervised the government’s anti-Covid strategy, had already approved the emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine for children between the age of 15 and 18 years.
Covid-19: Pakistan to vaccinate 15-18 years adolescents from tomorrow
