Students in Pakistan have vehemently protested against the CIE’s decision to retest them. PHOTO: FILE
Around 30,000 students in Pakistan are affected by this, a substantial number, and many are now questioning whether there is any difference in sitting for a CIE exam versus one from the local Inter/Matric system, which is notorious for leaked papers and brazen cheating. These exams are one of UK’s main exports, since they come with a credibility often lacking in different countries’ local exam boards.
The CIE has taken full responsibility for the incident, calling it “highly regrettable” and “exceptional”. The only positive side to the story is that it has offered students a host of options: they may retake the papers in June, or in November, or opt for a full refund and not take them at all. However, it needs to clarify how the lapse occurred and take steps to rectify the problem. Students spend years preparing for these exams and they are part of their permanent academic records. The CIE needs to conduct them more efficiently.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2013.
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Delusional editorial appealing to its readership. This is like saying banning Youtube is going to affect Google somehow.
"Around 30,000 students in Pakistan are affected by this, a substantial number, and many are now questioning whether there is any difference in sitting for a CIE exam versus one from the local Inter/Matric system, which is notorious for leaked papers and brazen cheating."
The difference is that CIE is that leaks are infrequent and when they occur, a retest is conducted to preserve integrity of the test. Those who have gone overseas (undoubtedly a small number) have been given the option to take the test in November. Finally in applying for undergraduate study overseas, there would be a difference between CIE and matriculation exams. But if the students feel there is no difference, why then, they may vote with their feet.
"These exams are one of UK’s main exports"
How did you reach the conclusion that this is one of Britain's main exports? Britain exports around Bo billion pounds per month or 480 billion pounds per year. ITs key exports are "Transport Equipment (16 percent); Chemical Products (10 percent of total exports); Machinery and Equipment (9 percent); Computer, Electronic and Optical Products (8 percent); Pharmaceutical Products (8 percent); Refined Petroleum Products (7 percent) and Basic Metals (6 percent)." http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-kingdom/exports