KARACHI: Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood announced on Thursday that the upcoming examinations at all levels of educational institutions would be held under full syllabus and there would be no more relaxation for students as offered during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said that the exams, expected to be held in May-June, would be held under the full syllabus and the schedule of exams for Cambridge students would be followed.

He said the consensual decisions regarding future education system in the country was taken at a Inter-Provincial Education Ministers’ Conference (IPEMC) held at a local hotel.

“Syllabus will be completed in this academic year,” said Mr Mahmood while speaking to reports after chairing the IPEMC. “The coronavirus pandemic has affected every segment of life, but the way it has hit our education, it’s too damaging. The government was forced to reduce the syllabus in the previous academic year due to the pandemic. But it is time for joint efforts to fully restore the educational activities across the country.”

He said that efforts were being made to further improve contacts between provinces and the centre for better quality education system.

The federal authorities wanted the provinces to hold exams and offer admissions on time.

‘Learning level of children not good’

He shared brief details about the debate held at the IPEMC where the new procedures of examination envisaged by the federal board were discussed.

“Efforts are on to design a combined academic calendar,” said the federal minister. “The global institutions reviewed Pakistan’s education system and found out that the learning level of our children is not good. The learning capacity of students has been badly affected due to the closure of schools following Covid-19. There are sincere efforts being made to revise the courses for increasing the learning level of Pakistani students.”

Meanwhile, a statement earlier issued said that the federal minister lauded the role of IPEMC for playing an “instrumental role” in developing a way forward for dealing with the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. Addressing the 33rd IPEMC, he also appreciated the Sindh government for organising the IPEMC.

Sindh Minister for Education and Literacy Syed Sardar Ali Shah and, Sindh Minister for Universities & Board Muhammad Ismail Rahoo attended the meeting physically.

Sharam Khan Tarakai, Provincial Minister-Elementary and Secondary Education Department-KPK, Deewan Ali Khan, Minister of Elementary and Secondary Education Department-AJK, Dr Murad Rass, School Education Department-Punjab, Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfraz, Provincial Minister for Higher Education-Punjab attended the meeting virtually.

Senior officials of federal education ministry, provincial/regional education departments of Sindh, KPK, Balochistan, Punjab, AJK and Gilgit Baltistan also participated in the meeting.

A detailed presentation was given by the federal secretary, Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training (MOFEPT), Naheed S. Durrani, who shed light on the facilitation of provinces under emergency Actions to Strengthen Performance for Inclusive and Responsive Education (ASPIRE) Project.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2021