Faulty HSSC results: Students protest outside federal board, seek rechecking of papers

Claim physics and chemistry papers were leaked before exams; seek inquiry into the matter.

ISLAMABAD: Dozens of students on Monday rallied outside the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) against what they called faulty marking in the higher secondary school certificate (HSSC) exams answer sheets.

The students claimed that physics and chemistry part-II question paper was leaked before the exam and demanded rechecking of the papers.

The protesting students belonged to Roots School System, Islamabad model colleges, and Federal Government Sir Syed College for Boys Tipu Road, Rawalpindi.

Umair, a student of Islamabad Model College for Boys F-10/2, said that his physics and chemistry papers were not marked “as per his expectation.” He said many other students were unhappy with the results.

Ali Hasnain, from Indus College Islamabad, said he expected over 70 per cent marks but got around 60 per cent. “We are not satisfied with the marking.”

Another student Kamran Chaudhry claimed that several question papers were leaked before the start of examination time. “The question papers were being shared through smart phones before the exam. We have the proof,” he said.

HSSC-I result was declared countrywide on August 18. Only 357 out of the total 2,603 private candidates managed to pass the exam. About 86.24 per cent of private students failed the examination. The overall pass percentage, however, remained 50.90.

A total of 51,883 regular candidates appeared in the examination. Of them, 27,375 passed with a success ratio of 52.76 per cent.

While in HSSC-II, announced on August 11, a total of 31,930 students passed the exams out of a total 41,967 regular candidates with a pass percentage of 76.08. The overall success rate, including the 11,539 private candidates, stood at 71 per cent.

The protesting students also met the FBISE secretary and informed him of their grievance. The secretary assured them to carry out an independent inquiry to verify the claims.

FBISE former controller examinations, while commenting on the issue stated that the leak of papers was not possible since the system developed for circulation was a complex and secret process.

No FBISE official was available for comment.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2014.