A fact-finding committee established by the Sindh Assembly has proposed granting 15% to 20% grace marks to first-year students who did not pass the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) exams. The committee, headed by NED University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sarosh Lodhi, reviewed the low pass rate and identified multiple issues in the evaluation process.
If approved by the relevant assembly committee, this recommendation could have a significant impact on students taking the annual exams beginning on April 15.
Key Highlights of the Report
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Pass Rate Below 30% – A record-low performance triggered the investigation.
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Errors in Evaluation – Issues found in totaling, tabulation, and data entry.
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Grace Marks Proposal – 15%–20% marks suggested for Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry.
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Exclusion of Certain Subjects – No grace marks recommended for Zoology, Botany, Islamic Studies, and Pakistan Studies.
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Final Decision Pending – The assembly committee will finalize the approval.
The Need for Grace Marks
Low Pass Rate Analysis
The BIEK first-year exam results showed that less than 30% of students passed. Many students who previously secured top grades in Matriculation failed these exams, raising concerns about the marking process.
Common Errors Found
The committee reviewed answer sheets and discovered:
- Spelling mistakes and basic writing errors.
- Miscalculations in mark totaling.
- Errors in data entry and tabulation.
Subject-Wise Grace Marks Proposal
The table below outlines the subjects for which grace marks have been proposed:
| Subject | Grace Marks Proposed |
|---|---|
| Physics | 15% – 20% |
| Mathematics | 15% – 20% |
| Chemistry | 15% – 20% |
| Zoology | Not Recommended |
| Botany | Not Recommended |
| Islamic Studies | Not Recommended |
| Pakistan Studies | Not Recommended |
Recommendations & Next Steps
Committee’s Recommendations
The fact-finding committee has suggested:
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Reviewing results of all Sindh education boards for potential discrepancies.
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Re-evaluating the grading system to ensure fairness.
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Providing training for examiners to avoid errors in totaling and tabulation.
Impact on Students
If implemented, the grace marks policy could:
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Improve pass percentages, reducing student stress.
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Ensure fairness for students who faced marking errors.
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Support those struggling with difficult subjects like Physics and Mathematics.
Decision Timeline
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The final decision will be made by the relevant assembly committee.
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If approved, the grace marks policy will apply to students appearing in exams from April 15.
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