Higher education: HEC asked if NTS testing can be the basis for varsity admissions

LHC also sought NTS records since 2002.

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court has directed the Higher Education Commission to check with representatives of 140 universities whether the National Testing Services (NTS) can be used as a prerequisite for admissions and scholarships.

The court also directed the HEC to submit records of NTS monitoring reports since 2002.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah passed the order while hearing a petition questioning the transparency of the NTS tests and the legality of admissions and scholarships absed on these tests.

The judge directed the NTS counsel to submit records of the corporate profile of the organisation as well as audit reports by the HEC since 2002.

The NTS was directed to submit statements of income and tax returns to establish that it was not for profit.

An HEC representative said schools were not required to subscribe to entrance examinations given by the NTS as it had not been approved by the HEC as a testing body.

Justice Shah said the HEC was only a facilitating authority and NTS tests were apparently not mandatory for entrance to universities.

Representatives of several educational institutions had told the court that a national testing body supported by a consortium of universities was needed. They argued against private ownership of the service.

The petitioner’s counsel had argued that in the absence of a regulatory framework, awarding millions of rupees in scholarships was very risky and the matter required serious consideration.

The judge adjourned the hearing till December 13.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2013.