KARACHI:
A few months ago, the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) announced the introduction of a screening test before the main examination similar to the Indian Civil Service examination. My immediate reaction to this was how government institutions take drastic decisions without being mindful of the impact these decisions can have on the people. At the time of the announcement, most CSS candidates had already finished their preparation for the exam, which meant that they had to prepare for the screening test anew.
FPSC’s reasoning that the screening test was in line with other SAARC countries, including India, comes as a surprise because India allows candidates to take the exam in either Hindi or English. Whereas, in Pakistan, candidates only have the option of taking the test in English. Perhaps, FPSC should consider this and introduce the option of Urdu as it is our national language, and most candidates are more proficient in Urdu than in English.
Whilst the screening test may prove to be a fruitful initiative, it should not have been introduced so abruptly. At present, CSS candidates are neither mentally prepared nor educationally to take the test. They should have been given at least a year to prepare themselves. Not all hope is lost though, the government still has time to revisit its policy concerning the future of many.
Ahtesham Ali
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, January 14th, 2022.
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