Sindh government needs to be applauded for coming together and clearing the air regarding educational affairs
KARACHI: As coronavirus cases started emerging in Pakistan, the Sindh government took the timely decision of closing down all educational institutions while setting up a committee specifically to monitor the situation. During the past few months however, schools and universities have tried various methods through which students can study from the comfort of their homes. Some are holding online classes while others have given students homework assignments.
These methods have proved rather challenging not only because of the lack of internet facilities but also due to the fact that many students are finding self-study burdensome.
With the semester coming to an end, the question of whether or not exams should be conducted seems to be one of the most central problems. After much deliberation, the committee has decided that matric and intermediate exams will not be held this year in light of the current pandemic crisis. Students will automatically be promoted to the next grade after the necessary legislative changes are made. This is without a doubt a commendable decision because holding exams could very easily put thousands of students at risk. Furthermore, the education minister of Sindh clarified the misconception regarding the reopening academic institutions on June 1 by saying that a new date of reopening will be announced in due course.
Students are very much relieved to hear such news as the fear of the virus has made it harder for them to concentrate on their studies. The Sindh government needs to be applauded for coming together and clearing the air regarding educational affairs. With the virus steadily increasing, a single mistake could put the country in a critical position. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Rehan Alam
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2020.
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