‘Controversial’ BIEK results trigger calls for reevaluation

The recent 'controversial results' of the intermediate science group exams announced by the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) have cast a shadow over the future of arts and commerce students, leaving parents and students in a state of shock and worry.

The caretaker chief minister's reaction has only added to the frustration as he has reportedly said, "If students have failed, they must have failed." However, vice chancellors (VCs) of major public universities in the metropolis have voiced their concerns at the unfolding situation.

The fate of thousands of students hangs in the balance after the announcement of the allegedly disputed results. Over the past week, students and parents have taken to the streets in protest after a majority of students failed in the BIEK's first-year results. The top officials in Sindh seem to be at odds over the contentious results.

Governor Kamran Tessori expressed his concern over the issue, stating, it is alarming that 64% of Karachi's students have failed in intermediate first year exams. He argued that even if the results are corrected, the negative impact would spread in the world.

Contrarily, Sindh CM Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar said that if students failed, protests are futile.

The results have revealed that 80% of candidates failed in Inter Arts Group first year (regular), 72% candidates failed in Inter Arts Group first year (private), and 63% candidates failed in commerce first year (private).

Read: BIEK to set up complaint booths

Vice Chancellor of NED University Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi called the results "regrettable." While speaking to The Express Tribune he suggested that the exams and resutls should be re-evaluated, drawing parallels with the reconsideration of Cambridge exam results during the novel coronavirus pandemic, which led to satisfaction among students and parents. Dr Lodhi urged the Board to reassess the results.

Vice Chancellor of Sir Syed University Professor Dr Waliuddin expressed dissatisfaction with the results, stating that students who perform well in university entrance tests do not align with the board results. He recommended a thorough analysis, including a comparison of entrance test results of major universities in Karachi with the board results of the same students.

Karachi's commissioner and the chairman of BIEK assured that marks would be re-totaled for scrutiny in the copies of any 10 students who secured more than 80% marks in matriculation. He pledged to oversee the checking process.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2024.