HSSC result: Protesting students block BB Road

They claim that brilliant students fared poorly in exams

RAWALPINDI: Dozens of students from two private colleges held a protest rally on Benazir Bhutto Road on Monday against alleged irregularities in the results for the annual Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) exams conducted by the Rawalpindi Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE).

The students started their protest on Liaquat Road and marched towards Benazir Bhutto Road, where they blocked the main artery of the city at Liaquat Bagh Chowk for an hour. They raised slogans against RBISE, alleging that the board had failed many outstanding students.

They demanded rechecking of their answer sheets and rejected the option of having their checked answer sheets recounted.

A source at RBISE said that the board had received no written complaints against the results. He added that the board prepared the results with due care and diligence.

Earlier, students in Lahore protested against irregularities after the board awarded marks exceeding the maximum possible to some students in certain subjects.

Meanwhile, RBISE spokesperson Arsalan noted that the board had decided to accept applications for recounting without fees till October 25. He said RBISE Chairman Dr Muhammad Zareef had decided to provide the facility free-of-cost in response to students’ concerns.

The spokesperson further said that students could apply for recounting through the heads of their respective institutions. The applicant must have solid reason for recounting, with a separate application for waiver of the fee, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2016.