KARACHI: The Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) has declared the results for the first-year (Part-I) examination, indicating a significant number of students facing failure, leading to concerns about their deteriorating academic performance.
Statistical data reveals a high failure rate in various groups, with 80% of candidates failing in Arts (regular), 72% in Arts (private), and 63% in Commerce (private).
In the recent release of results, only 36.5% succeeded in Pre-Medical, 34.79% in Pre-Engineering, and 38.69% in Computer Science groups. This trend is worrisome, especially for students with lower marks in matriculation exams, as it poses potential challenges in securing admissions to professional universities and colleges, as admissions are typically based on Inter Part-I marks.
Adding to the concern is the absence of key officials, including the chairman, controller, and secretary, at the BIEK. The interim leadership structure lacks stability, with the Karachi commissioner holding the chairman’s position but being notably absent.
The commissioner has seldom visited the board since assuming charge, overseeing operations remotely. Additionally, the deputy controller, appointed by the commissioner, acts as the controlling authority in the absence of a dedicated controller.
The roles of secretary and controller are held by individuals who were formerly clerks on the board, raising concerns about their qualifications for these critical positions.
It is noteworthy that the search committee, led by Prof Dr Tariq Rafi, also the chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC), recommended the appointment of Dr Muhammad Memon and Muhammad Hussain Syed for various positions in the provincial education boards.
However, this proposal was rejected, and instead, two bureaucrats—Anwar Haider and Mukhtiar Soomro—were appointed. Both lack relevant experience in education boards, unlike the candidates proposed by the SHEC. Syed has previously served as the secretary of boards and universities, while Memon has held the position of Hyderabad board chairman.
Sources indicate that the recruitment process for officers in education boards is under the control of Health Secretary Mansoor Abbas, who is reportedly close to the caretaker CM.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
