Paper-checking system needs improvement

Teachers have been showing great reluctance in performing duties as sub-examiners because of a meager remuneration
Lahore, Feb 16: Marking of papers is certainly a job of great responsibility as a minor mistake on the part of the paper-checker (sub-examiner) can deprive a student of his/ her right, benefiting the other.

It is generally observed that students do apply for rechecking after examinations if they are not satisfied with their results. A high profile case over a similar issue is being heard in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) these days.

One factor, which seriously needs to be taken up by the authorities concerned, is meager remuneration paid to the sub-examiners, which no doubt can affect their performance in such an important task.

According to officials of the education boards, teachers have been showing great reluctance in performing duties as sub-examiners because of a meager remuneration.

For the last many years there has not been substantial increase in remuneration, paid to the sub-examiners, and at present Rs14 and Rs18 are being paid to sub-examiners for each answer book at matriculation and intermediate level respectively.

In the wake of low remuneration, it is obvious that the sub-examiners try to mark the maximum number of answer-sheets to generate maximum money. This raises a question as how they can ensure marking with such a state of mind.

Another important issue which the authorities concerned should deal with is related to inexperienced paper-checkers who are "used" by the boards to fill the gap created by the experienced ones.

Apart from teachers of government educational institutions those teaching at private educational institutions are also eligible to be appointed as sub-examiners. Though the boards have specific rules in this regard yet the possibility of having inexperienced and immature sub-examiners cannot be ruled out.

There is also a dire need of providing comfortable environment to paper-checkers. A lot depends on the environment of the duty place as an uncomfortable place could also affect the performance of sub-examiners. It is important to mention here that boards in Punjab follow centre-based marking system in which sub-examiners had to visit the boards to perform their duty.

The Controller of Examinations at the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE), Lahore, Prof Manzoorul Hassan Niazi, agreeing that teachers are reluctant to be sub-examiners, urges the government to declare it mandatory for teachers to perform duty as sub-examiners.

"We do face shortage of sub-examiners," he said while replying to a question, adding: "In such circumstances, the task is divided among the available workforce to meet the deadline set for result announcement."

Mr Niazi further said teachers were reluctant to perform duty as sub-examiners because of low remuneration.

To a question, he said heavy penalties, including disqualification from the duty, were imposed on sub-examiners for mistakes, adding that it was also one of the reasons that teachers were reluctant to opt for paper-checking.

Chairman BISE, Gujranwala, Muhammad Akram Chaudhry, commenting over the issue, also agreed that boards were facing shortage of sub-examiners because of low remuneration.

He said the Punjab Board Committee of Chairmen (PBCC) had recommended increase in remuneration of sub-examiners and other supervisory staff last year but no final decision had been made by the government so far.

The academic circles believe that marking of papers should be taken as a very serious job and measures should be taken to ensure that sub-examiners perform their duties with carefulness and commitment. -lachvee@gmail.com

Examination staff accused of helping influential candidates
Rawalpindi: A number of candidates who appeared in the written test for the posts of tehsildar and sub-accountants in Rawalpindi have blamed the invigilators for allowing some influential candidates of using unfair means during the tests.

Around 400 candidates appeared at the test held for around 128 posts all around the province. The tests were held under the aegis of Punjab Public Service Commission at Islamia Higher Secondary School and Gordon College centres. A heavy contingent of police was also present on the occasion.

However, some students blamed the examination staff of maintaining a lenient attitude towards some influential candidates. They said that the invigilators allowed such candidates to cheat and use all kinds of unfair means including mobile phones to succeed in the test. They also said that the invigilators maintained very strict behaviour with other candidates.

Syed Zamir, a candidate at Islamia Higher Secondary School said, "It was a mere drama for the people otherwise there were no rules and regulations during the test. Those who had some resources openly cheated and those who were not influential were treated strictly."

Imran Ali, a candidate who appeared for the test in Gordon College said, "The examination staff failed to take the mobile phones from most candidates who openly used them in cheating, especially to solve the general knowledge portion of the test."

Bilal Khan, who applied for the post of 'tehsildar' said, "There were some verbal brawls between the candidates and superintendent because the superintendent treated some students very harshly."

However, when contacted to Masood Ghauri camp officer at Islamia Higher Secondary School centre said, "These are all baseless charges from those who wanted to use the unfair means, but were not allowed by the invigilators." "There is no reality in it and both the tests were conducted according to the rules and regulations."

However, Afzal Khan who was the incharge at Gordon College centre simply refused to comment on the issue.

Punjab Public Service Commission Regional Incharge Muzaffar said, "Those students who have objections regarding use of unfair means in the test can come to my office and we will try to resolve the matter." He also said that both the tests were held according to rules and regulations and he guarantees that no unfair means and mobile phones were allowed in the examination hall.

Punjab Universty announced various results
Lahore: The Punjab University Examination Department declared the results of various examinations on Saturday.

The results include MBBS, Third Professional (Re-Organized Scheme), Annual Examination 2008, MBBS, Third Professional (New Re-Organized Scheme), Annual Examination 2008, BSc Home Economics, First Year, 2nd Annual Examination 2008, BSc Home Economics, Second Year, 2nd Annual Examination 2008, BS Mathematics (Semester System), Session 2002-2006, MSc Geographical Information System (Fall 2003), Semester System, Session 2003-2005, MSc Physics (Semester System), Session 2005-2007, MS Mathematics (Semester System), Session 2006-2008, BSc (Hons) Physics, Session 2003-2007 and MPhil Physics, Session 2005-2007. Detailed results are also available on PU website www.pu.edu.pk

Meanwhile, Punjab University MBBS, Second Professional (Re-Organized Scheme, New Re-Organized Scheme & Latest New Re-Organized Scheme), Supplementary Examination 2008, will commence from March 17, 2009.

University of Health Sciences (UHS) announced MBBS results
Lahore: The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has announced the result of First Professional MBBS Part-II supplementary examination held in January 2009. About 375 candidates appeared in the examination out of whom 328 passed and 45 failed while roll numbers of two candidates were put on RL list. Overall pass percentage was 87.47. The News

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BZU syndicate takes up 'core issues'
Multan: The syndicate committee of Bahauddin Zakariya University has decided to issue the degree of B.S (Hons) accounting and finance to students who were earlier given the BSc accounting and finance result cards.

The decision was taken in a syndicate meeting here on Saturday.

The meeting also accepted all demands of students of the computer science department except their demand for the removal of department chairman Dr Amanullah. It was decided to send his case to dean Dr Shahida Niazi.

The issue of students' clash on Thursday night in Ali Hostel and alleged manhandling of an associate professor was sent to the disciplinary committee with the direction to hold it's meeting at the Engineering Department on Monday (tomorrow).

Requesting anonymity, a syndicate member said the committee had also discussed the matter of former English department chairman Dr Sheirin and decided to seek explanation from her within a fortnight.

He said the university had already issued two show-cause notices to Dr Sheirin, but she responded to only one.

The BZU administration had on Nov 30 last abruptly terminated the services of English Department visiting lecturer Moeen Haider, the spouse of Dr Sheirin.

The administration alleged that Mr Haider was involved in subversive activities and creating law and order situation while a case was also lodged against Mr Haider and two others, but the university had withdrawn the case on the direction of the chancellor.

Mr Haider took stand that he and his wife Dr Sheirin were victimised for expressing moderate views, protesting against a sexual harassment incident that occurred in the university in which a teaching staff was involved and for raising a voice for female students of the university.

He also alleged that the VC protected the teachers involved in the sexual harassment case a few months ago.

The issue of the additional registrar's appointment by the vice-chancellor for the first time in the university's history and other issues could not be taken up owing to the shortage of time. Dawn

'GCU excels in both sports and academics'
Lahore: Although academic excellence has always been the hallmark of Government College University (GCU), it has also managed to attain excellence in sports, former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman General (r) Tauqeer Zia said on Sunday. He was addressing the closing ceremony of the 109th Annual Sports of GCU at the GCU Oval Ground. He said Ravians were contributing in every field of life. He also highlighted the benefits of an active participation in sports. GCU Vice-Chancellor Dr Khalid Aftab said the sheer determination showed by GCU students in sports distinguished Ravians from students of all other institutions. Daily Times

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