No public school student near top

LAHORE: Students in government institutions failed to get among the top positions in the University of Punjab BA/BSc Annual Examinations 2010, the results of which were announced on Tuesday.

The top positions were all taken by girls who were either private candidates or from private colleges. A total of 171,624 students sat the BA/BSc exams and 49,339 passed, giving a pass rate of 28.75 percent, about a percentage point higher than last year.

Almost twice as many girls sat the exams as boys and their pass rates were significantly higher, the Punjab University vice chancellor said at the prize distribution ceremony for the top students.

A total of 59,162 male candidates sat the exams and 11,347 passed, a pass percentage of 19.18. A total of 112,462 girls sat the exams and 38,023 girls passed, a pass rate of 33.81 per cent. The best performing students said the major difference between government and private institutions was the commitment of their teachers. Teachers in government institutions don’t pay proper attention to their students in school, they said, so that students are forced to get extra tuition with them after school. “Private tuitions should be completely banned so that teachers give their full input in government institutions,” said one student.

Zunaira Nasir of Punjab College for Women Satellite Town, Sargodha, finished in first position overall and in BSc with 703 marks out of 800. Erum Shahzadee of Punjab College for Women Civil Lines, Gujranwala, and Fariha Iqbal of National Science College, Gujranwala, finished joint second with 684 marks. Aasma Meer, also of National Science College, Gujranwala, came third with 676 marks.

The top positions in the BA exams were taken by private candidates. Sana Iftikhar from Islamabad scored first position with 662 marks out of 800; Syeda Zarina Sadia and Hafiza Ayesha Zafar from Shahdara, Lahore, finished second with 655 marks; and Erum Yasmeen from Mandi Bahauddin came third with 654 marks.

Top school:

Qurban Degree College for Women Walton Road, Lahore Cantt, achieved the highest pass percentage in the BA/BSc examinations. Fifty-one of the 54 students who sat the exams passed, a pass rate of 94.44 percent.

Rewards:

The Punjab University announced that it was awarding Rs100,000 to the girls who finished first in BA and BSc, Rs75,000 to second position and Rs65,000 to third position.

It also offered a free education and accommodation to the toppers if they gained admission to the varsity.

Published in The Express Tribune August 18^th, 2010.