Grace marks
In a move as surprising as it is contentious, the Sindh provincial government has decreed a generous 15% grace mark for students who faltered in their class XI examinations last year. The decision, prompted by an investigative committee report on the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi’s controversial results, comes as a beacon of hope for the academically flailing youth of Sindh.
This decision signals an attempt to address the widespread discontent sparked by the alleged shortcomings of the examination results. In a country where educational success often dictates future prospects, such a move represents a rare deviation from established grading norms. Yet, this isn’t merely about salvaging students’ grades. It reflects a deep-rooted dilemma within Pakistan’s educational landscape. It speaks volumes about the system’s failure to accurately assess student capabilities, and instead shows readiness to recalibrate the numbers in favour of those on the losing end to dissuade criticism. More broadly, this decision is a damning indictment of the educational machinery in Pakistan. The staggering failure rates, reaching up to 80% in some categories, force us to confront a system grappling with an array of pedagogical challenges and shortcomings. In a way, this decision is an olive branch to students, a recognition that amidst societal and personal hurdles, they deserve a second chance. It is a nod to the inherent flaws in our current assessment practices and a call to reimagine a system that fosters true academic growth and achievement.
In the long term, however, it is only through such comprehensive reform efforts that we can truly transform the educational landscape of Sindh and, by extension, Pakistan as a whole. Anything less would be a disservice to the millions of children who rely on the education system for their future.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th, 2024.
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