Ziauddin University announces major changes in exams system
Dr Asim Hussain, Chancellor of Ziauddin University, on Tuesday announced groundbreaking changes to the examination system, highlighting the approval of three crucial recommendations by the Inter Board Chairman Commission (IBCC).
“This should have been done 50 years ago,” he said while addressing the media on Tuesday. He remarked on the compulsory inclusion of Urdu during the One-Unit era, drawing a comparison with India, where both Hindi and English were made compulsory subjects. “India exports its languages more than any other country,” he added.
Dr Hussain also critiqued the 14-year graduation degree system in Pakistan, deeming it unacceptable on a global scale. He discussed the evolution of admission criteria in universities, emphasising that powers initially held by universities eventually led to the establishment of examination boards in Pakistan.
In his critique of Sindh's examination boards, he lamented saying, "There is no merit system," and pointed out that board chairmen often do not communicate with each other. “Everyone knows that board chairmen and controllers are not appointed on merit.”
Explaining the new system, Dr Hussain outlined, “Firstly, students can now choose from a variety of elective courses along with compulsory subjects. Secondly, there is a proposed alteration in the grading system for SSC and HSSC, suggesting the elimination of fail grades and the introduction of an ‘Unsatisfactory’ grade. Lastly, preset multiple-choice questions (MCQs) will replace the traditional practical exams."
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These decisions are slated for uniform implementation across all educational boards in Sindh, as outlined in references and notifications issued by the IBCC. Ziauddin University Examination Board (ZUEB) is the first examination board to implement these changes with immediate effect.
A pivotal change allows matric and intermediate students to concurrently sit exams in different subjects. This innovative approach offers students the flexibility to choose diverse subjects, fostering increased motivation, improved retention, heightened focus, effective learning strategies, greater satisfaction, and improved career prospects.
Another significant change involves the introduction of a new grading system, replacing marks at the ninth and eleventh levels from 2024. The conventional A-1, A, B, C, D, E, F grading scale will make way for a 10-point system. The concept of failure will be replaced by an unsatisfactory grade, affording students the opportunity to reappear for specific subjects. This transition aims to alleviate the academic pressure associated with the current marks-based selection criteria in universities.
Moreover, a notable adjustment in the assessment method for scientific subjects introduces MCQs as an alternative to the Cambridge-style practical. This change is expected to enhance students' data handling and processing skills, focus on analytical thinking and problem-solving, and facilitate the practical application of classroom teachings.
Dr Hussain stressed that these progressive decisions are initially being implemented within the ZUEB, with plans for broader adoption across educational boards in Sindh following the directives of the IBCC.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2023.