Deserving students get fee waiver

Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) Chairman, Dr Ikram Ali Malik, on Friday announced that Rs500 million has been set aside for a fee-waiver scheme designed to help deserving students pursue their studies without financial strain.

He added that plans are also underway to revive model examination centres equipped with libraries, computer laboratories, and science facilities, enabling practical examinations to be held on site.

In an informal discussion with a delegation from the Federal Education Reporters Association (FERA), Dr Malik said that ensuring students sit their exams in a controlled and standardised environment remains a priority for the Board, as part of efforts to curb cheating and other irregularities. He noted that while the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has already earmarked land for these centres, formal approval has yet to be granted.

Dr Malik explained that a dedicated committee has been established to roll out the fee-waiver scheme for students from low-income backgrounds. Under the initiative, students registered with the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) or charitable organisations will be offered free education and exempted from all fees.

He confirmed that the Board of Governors has allocated Rs500m for the programme to ensure that no eligible student is deprived of education due to financial hardship.

He went on to highlight that more than 4,000 institutions across Pakistan are affiliated with the FBISE, alongside 55 overseas institutions. However, he added that no institutions in Western countries are currently linked with the Board, with the sole exception of a school operated by the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi for the children of its diplomatic staff.

Announcing revised fee structures, Dr Malik said the degree verification fee had been raised from Rs200 to Rs1,000, the matriculation mark sheet fee increased to Rs1,500, and the matriculation examination fee was set at Rs 5,000.

He stressed that the hikes were unavoidable in view of the rising costs of conducting examinations. At present, he noted, the Federal Board manages an endowment fund of Rs2 billion and operates its affairs with complete transparency.

Emphasising the need to strengthen teaching standards, the FBISE chairman said that improving student performance was not possible without first raising the quality of teachers. He remarked that government institutions should not function merely as providers of employment but must operate on the basis of skill and competence.

Looking ahead, he predicted that advances in artificial intelligence would see the education system become increasingly automated over the next five years, enhancing both transparency and efficiency.