NTS cancellation: HEC to ask court for more time

LHC previously ruled NTS is not an approved body.

ISLAMABAD:

After a Lahore High Court (LHC) ruling, universities across the country are at a loss whether or not to hold tests under the National Testing Service (NTC).

The Lahore High Court on March 23 ruled that NTS is not an approved Higher Education Commission (HEC) body and NTS tests for scholarships or admission for recognised universities and academic institutions will no longer be required after May 30.

With less than a week to go, the HEC has yet to file an intra-court appeal in the LHC over the additional time required to bring in new testing rules.

HEC Chairperson Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said that they will file a petition seeking three months to formulate a framework and bylaws for a testing body.

According to HEC officials, a framework for a new national testing body is currently being devised.

The court ordered the HEC to propose an amendment to the ordinance in order to provide for a proper regulatory statutory framework for establishing a testing service.

The Express Tribune contacted several HEC officials who have been associated with the NTS, but all declined to comment.

However, one of the HEC officers said on the condition of anonymity that the LHC judgment pointed towards some lacunae in decision making in early 2000, when the higher education body allowed NTS to conduct tests.

The LHC had sought a notification of approval from the HEC’s 18-member commission about letting NTS conduct tests, but the commission failed to provide it.

During the entire period it was conducting tests, however, NTS continued to use the HEC logo in its advertisements.

Under the court decision, NTS, although not an HEC-approved testing service, may continue operating as a private entity.

The HEC chairperson said universities are free to work out an arrangement with NTS till the formulation of bylaws by the commission.

International Islamic University Islamabad Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai recently told the Senate standing committee on education that they were waiting for instructions from the commission, as was Karakoram International University Vice Chancellor Najma Najam.

In the meanwhile, the University of Punjab has abolished the NTS requirement and will conduct its own admissions tests.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2014.