Matric exams: paper leaked, cheating in exams

Matric exams: Islamiat paper leaked out in wee hours?
Karachi, Mar 25: The alleged leaking of the matriculation examination paper of Islamiat has put a question mark on the credibility of the Board of Secondary Education (BSEK). The board seems to have failed in safeguarding the rights of hard working students. The Islamiat exam of class X Science Group was leaked in the wee hours of Tuesday via a cell phone. "The paper was apparently leaked by using the SMS service and was sent to candidates who had paid a certain amount," sources in the BSEK revealed. A cell phone message that was used for disseminate the questionnaire was obtained by us and reads as follows:

'The Islamiat Paper For Class (X) Board of Secondary Education Confirmed Paper B Surah Ehzab Ayat 22-24, Surah Mumtihina Ayat 7-9 Hadees 4 and 19, Quran ka taruf, fazeelat taharat ki ahmiat, fawaid ayat aur hadees ki nazar mein, sabr ki ahmiat aur shukar k fawaid, aili zindagi ki ahmiat and aulad k huqooq (abhi yeh 75 percent confirm hai). Yeh paper apne frndz ko frwrd krdo.'

A senior teacher at a government school, on the condition of anonymity said that conditions like these mentally disturb students. "There is no difference between a student who studies throughout the year and one who spends a few thousand rupees to get the paper illegally," he said while alleging that a very influential group with the BSEK officials is involved in the assumed leaking of the papers.

When we contacted BSEK Controller of Examination Prof Javed Iftikhar to get his version over the alleged leaking of the paper, his cell phone was switched off. The calls to BSEK Secretary Asif Pasha Siddiqi's phone were also unanswered.

Power outages continue in exam centres: Meanwhile, continued power breakdowns continued to irk the candidates during the exams. Despite the efforts made by the BSEK officials, Karachi Electric Supply Company failed to respond in a positive manner with leaving the students at the receiving end. Daily Times

Class X exams begin late at some centres
Karachi: The Secondary Schools Certificate Part-II (Class X) science group annual examinations-2009 began late at several centres on its first day due to the late arrival of question papers from the Board of Secondary Education Karachi on Tuesday.

BSEK officials admitted that the examination began between five and 15 minutes late at several centres, but claimed that the superintendents of such centres were directed to compensate candidates by giving them extra time.

The sources said that some group leaders faced difficulties in providing papers to invigilators in time at a few centres as it was the first day of the exam, adding that there would be little inconvenience on the following days.

The board officials said that over 470 exam centres had been set up for around 106,000 science group candidates taking the SSC Part-II exams. Dawn

BSEK fails to curb cheating in SSC exams
Karachi: Around 150 vigilance committees, formed by Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK), have been failed to get control over the huge practice of using unfair means and corruption in the first paper of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Part-II Annual Examinations 2009, Science Group, held here on Tuesday.

Around 63 students have been caught using unfair means in the Paper-II of Islamiyat. Nearly all the examination centres have witnessed the vast practice of using unfair means, corruption and loadshedding in the Paper-II (Islamiyat), causing huge problems for the students in attempting papers, according to complaints gathered by us.

As per Javaid Iftikhar, Controller Examination, BSEK, 476 examination centres have been set up in the City. One centre has been established in central jail, although around 150 vigilance committees had been formed to organise papers in a smooth and transparent manner.

To conduct papers peacefully, the board has sent letters to IG Police, DIG Police, DG Rangers, TPOs and Town Nazims to get their assistance.

It is pertinent to mention here that all papers of matric classes are scheduled to be held during morning timings from 9am till 12 noon, while papers of 9th class will be held during 2pm to 5pm. According to sources, a large number of cases of unfair means and corruption were found in examination centres of Korangi, Orangi, Shah Faisal, Landhi, Lyari and New Karachi Town.

According to complaints, in some examination centres of the said towns, there were reports of huge money involvement, as candidates have faced leniency in such centres to adopt unfair means. On the other hand, the higher-ups of the KESC did not chalk out any plan to exempt examination centres from loadshedding. Nearly 286,000 students, who are enrolled for the SSC Part-I and II examinations, are suffering from the loadshedding during the peak of their examinations. The Nation

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Univesity of Karachi seminar on Impending water crisis
Karachi: Prof. Dr M. Abuzar Wajidi, Management and Administrative Sciences Dean and Univesity of Karachi (KU) Evening Program Director, has said that despite possessing the largest canal system, Pakistan continues to face an acute water shortage problem.

He was speaking at a seminar titled 'Water Crisis: A serious challenge today, a grave threat tomorrow' at the faculty on the occasion of World Water Day.

Dr Wajidi further said that the significance of the curtailment of water wastage and its preservation had been highlighted by speakers at the Fifth World Water Forum held in Istanbul, Turkey the other day. He reiterated the prevalent notion that future wars could base on the issue of water resources.

KU Department of Economics Chairman Dr Shafiqur Rehman pointed out that the coming years could be crucial for Pakistan with reference to water crisis. He informed the audience that a survey in 2001 had revealed that 1.2 million acres of land have been devoured by the sea, while 350,000 acres have been eaten up by water ways. Similarly, the delta areas have become arid, hence no longer supporting a habitat for the aquaria life. This has badly affected the local population, particularly the fisherfolk community. He suggested instant work on desalination of sea water, and introduction of two separate water lines for drinking and other uses.

Dr. Khalid Iraqi, Assistant Professor at the Department of Public Administration (DPA), urged the government to take immediate steps for the construction of small and medium dams wherever possible. He said that such steps should be taken in the best interests of the nation, while the private sector should also make significant contributions in financial terms for building of dams.

KU special exams
Karachi: Semester Examinations Section Advisor Dr Javed Zaki has announced that students who failed two papers and could not complete their degree programmes are being allowed to take the Special Examinations-2009 which will commence from April 4, 2009. The last date for submission of examination form and fee duly attested by the concerned Chairpersons is April 4. All outgoing and former students are directed by Karachi University (KU) to submit the supplementary examinations forms-2008 up to March 30, 2009 with a late fee of Rs500.

The City School organises drama, sports events
Karachi: The City School Gulshan A-Level branch recently organised a "Drama Festival" at Rangoonwala Auditorium.

The function kicked off with the name of Allah Almighty, national anthem and school anthem. The audience then witnessed the first drama, an English play "Readings from an uncelebrated life" which was written and directed by Moiz Arif. The cast included Yousuf Ahmed Zaidi, Omair Younus Paracha, Moiz Arif, Hermain Kazmi and Saud Aidrus. The plot of this drama was based upon "the conscience" played by Moiz Arif, which tells the story of a person who eventually commits suicide after being pressurized by evil in this world. This play was about relationships, struggle in life, happiness, trust, and death itself. This drama was followed by poetry elocution presented by Asna Anwar.

The spectators were then treated to the Urdu drama Anarkali, which was adapted from the novel written by Imtiaz Ali Taj. The stage was soon transformed into Shahi Darbar, with different backdrops giving a spectacular look The participants were Chaudhry Salmaz Mazhar as Shehzada Salim Yousuf Zaidi as Akhbar and Aleena Rizvi as Anarkali. Fatima Zehra and Omair Younus Paracha played the roles of Dilaram and Darogha respectively.

In the end Anum Tariq and Moiz Arif presented a beautiful poem "Eternal Love" which was written by Anum Tariq herself.

The programme was concluded by the principal of the institution Mrs. Talat Hassain and the President of the English Literary Society Moiz Arif.

The City School North Nazimabad Branch organised 'Sports Fusion 09' recently at the UBL Sports complex.

The programme kicked off with the oath taking ceremony and declaration, which were later followed by a walk-past. After the welcome speech given by the Head Girl, junior boys then displayed their beautiful performance in P.E Display. Many interesting races were conducted for both boys and girls.

An impeccable performance of junior girls in aerobics entertained the audience a great deal. A three-legged race was also held among parents, adding funfair to the event. The event was concluded by a 'Vote of Thanks' paid by the Head Boy. The News

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Teachers condemn jirga at Sindh University
Hyderabad: The Sindh University Teachers Association (SUTA) has condemned the holding of a jirga at the campus and said that in the presence of university senate, syndicate, academic council and discipline committee, the holding of a jirga speaks volumes about the mismanagement and helplessness of the university administration.

SUTA secretary Professor Badar Soomro said in a statement that seven days ago, the association had said that the university administration had virtually ceased to exist and the holding of jirga was a proof of this fact.

He said that although the university administration spent a huge amount on police and Rangers to maintain law and order at the campus, the university had reached at the verge of destruction.

Mr Soomro said that the Sindh High Court had banned jirga but the biggest educational institution of Sindh had succumbed to jirga system, which was defeat of intellect.

He said that the main reason of failure of university administration was retired officials working on different posts who were incapable of taking any decision. He said that the in-service professors and officers should be given their due rights.

He appealed to the chief justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, to take notice of the prevailing situation to rid the educational institutes of retired officials and order a judicial inquiry into the jirga.

UNIVERSITY VERSION: The university authorities have denied the holding of any jirga as alleged by the SUTA.The university administration said in a statement that a clash had taken place between students and some security guards of the university on Feb 27, which led to protests, badly affecting educational environment at the campus.

The statement said that the employees lodged an FIR with the Jamshoro police station with the help of university administration. The vice- chancellor and registrar held several meetings with the employees and assured them of justice but they went ahead with protest demonstrations, the statement said.

It said that talks were held between the two parties in the presence of MPA Dr Sikandar Shoro but some university employees refused to participate in the talks.

The university administration convened three meetings of discipline committee, issued notices and recorded statements of the employees and the students, the statement said.

It said that on March 14, on the occasion of senate meeting, Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq, who is also the pro-vice chancellor of the university, met with university employees, who had staged a sit-in outside the administration building, and urged them to hold talks to resolve the issue.

It said that in the light of the minister's advice, the parents of the students approached the employees and their parents to solve the problem through talks.

The statement clarified that on March 22, the employees and their parents and the students and their parents held talks and settled the dispute. Dawn

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