|
|
|
|
Science exams for private students
Lahore, March 24, 2008: Allowing or disallowing private students to appear in practicals of
matriculation and intermediate (science group) examinations had always been a
subject of heated debate among the stakeholders as people have different
viewpoint on the issue.
The major stakeholders, especially those private
students who want to appear in the practicals argue that if they cannot afford
to attend a school, doors of science education should not be shut on them, as
education was the right of every individual.
However, those who do not
"wish" that the private students appear in the examinations, including officials
of the Education department and different education boards, believe exposure to
a science laboratory and understanding of experiments and related apparatus was
very necessary to acquire science education.
They argue that private
students not going to any school cannot perform practical part of the
examinations, therefore, such students should not be allowed to appear in the
examinations. According to them, firsthand practical knowledge is essential
requirement in this regard.
There are people too who are very critical of
condition of laboratories in government and private schools. They argue that
lack of necessary equipment and poor conditions of science labs and lack of
trained instructors in the schools do not serve the required purpose and
everything is done just for the sake of formality.
They claim that most
of the students of the government as well as private schools learn practically
nothing about practical portion of the examinations and were even facilitated by
their teachers in this regard in the examinations.
The Punjab Education
department had allowed private students to appear in science group matriculation
examinations for a number of times, however, no permanent relief is ever
provided to the students in this regard by the department.
The Inter
Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), comprising boards across the country, has
recently rejected a proposal regarding appearance of private candidates in
science group examinations.
It is worth mentioning here that UK boards
offering qualifications like O and A level in Pakistan don't bar private
students from acquiring science education. Private students could appear in
science examinations if they do not attend any school.
Afzaal Bhatti, a
teacher of O level, said the so-called custodians of country's education system
were depriving a large number of poor students from acquiring science education
simply because they could not afford to go to schools.
He said instead
of evolving a system to accommodate such students, doors of science education
have been shut for them, adding it was a great injustice with the entire
nation.He said an Alternative to Practical (ATP) system was followed in O and A
level qualifications, adding under the system, practical based questions with
the help of diagrams were asked from students in the exams.
He said,
"Under the system, even private students who do not appear in examination from
any school could acquire science education and going to a lab is not mandatory
for them."
Academic circles were also very critical of the authorities
for depriving those private students who do not go to school from acquiring
science education, saying instead of barring such students to appear in the
exams, efforts should be made to evolve a system to facilitate such students to
opt for science education. The News
Your Comments
"Many students cannot afford to attend regular classes because they have to work to live for themselves and for their families.For your information, now many private coachings are offering practicals on very reasonable cost and it can be opted by private students who cannot study on regular basis."
Name: Muhammad Qasim
Email: muhammad.qasim@siemens.com
City, Country: Karachi, Pakistan
|
|
|
|
 |
| Post your Comments/ Views about the news. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Education News | | Updated: 25 May, 2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
