Pandemic infects KU entry exam results

Less than quarter of candidates successful as officials blame disrupted academic year, lack of educational support

KARACHI:

Given how much it has disrupted activities this year, it was inevitable that students would suffer one way or another due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. To what extent, however, is only just becoming apparent.

The results of Karachi University’s recently held entrance examinations for Bachelors and Masters programmes paint an alarming picture. Less than a quarter of candidates were able to clear the exams, as education experts and officials pointed fingers at both a less than ideal student promotion policy and lack of educational support due to Covid-19.

A total of 8,983 candidates appeared for this year’s entrance exams for the 20 different Bachelors programmes the Karachi University offers. To pass their respective exams, candidates had to obtain at least 50 out 100 marks under Karachi University’s policy. A staggering 6,378 candidates - nearly 71 per cent - failed to do so, the results published by the university on Thursday revealed.

Entrance exams for the Karachi University’s Masters programmes fared even worse. Only 104 of the 503 candidates who appeared for the exams were able to clear them. As many as 396 candidates could not do so, revealing a failure rate of 89 per cent.

Even the results of successful candidates appeared far from ideal. A mere 14 candidates were able to score above 80 and no candidate could secure more than 90 marks. The bulk of candidates who passed - 2,697 to be exact - scored between 50 to 80 marks.

Among those who failed, less than half, 3,051, came close to a passing mark and scored above 40. Another 3,375 scored between 30 marks and 40, while 1,454 could only secure less than 30 marks.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, some officials suggested the result reflected the policy of promoting students directly that educational authorities were forced to implement. As Covid-19 cases surged, authorities were forced to postpone and subsequently call off annual matriculation and intermediate exams. O and A level exams were similarly called off as well. Instead, students from both streams were graded based on coursework they carried out during the regular school session.

The secretary of the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), however, blamed the result on the pandemic as a whole rather than any one particular policy aspect.

“This issue, of students being unable to clear the [Karachi University] entrance exam is reflective of the wide range of problems Covid-19 has created,” Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah said. “Students were unable to prepare adequately due to the pandemic.

Between lockdowns and social-distancing measures, I don’t think they could obtain access to necessary educational support,” he told The Express Tribune. “As such, it is unfair to pin it solely on the student promotion policy.”

Dr Mallah also raised questions over the level of difficulty in the Karachi University exam. “If it was too difficult, that would be a major reason for the results we’ve seen as well.”

The Express Tribune tried to reach out to Karachi University Admissions Committee In-Charge Dr Saima Akhtar, but she chose not to comment on the matter.