The exams of matric and inter are usually conducted during the months of March to June and usually, at this time of the year, students are thinking about results. However, this year, the students are not only result but examination awaiting too. The situation has turned on its head due to emergence of deadly virus in the country. In order to minimize the risk and move forward in a positive direction, Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) has scheduled a session to finalize the future of matriculation and intermediate exams 2020. IBCC is the joint body of all the Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) in the country.
The invitations of the meeting have been sent to all the Chairmen of provincial boards including Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and KP. The meeting will also include Chairmen form AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). The meeting will take place using an online tool in order to remain compliant to the government’s recommendations. The ultimate objective of the meeting is to either announce the revised schedule or postpone the exams for a further indefinite period. The session will address numerous other topics too which are included in the agenda of meeting. The other key areas are the scheduling of examination, revision in the grading structure, revision in the paper pattern, postponement of exams and the mechanism adopted in case of further postponement.
The session will be headed by Chairman of Agha Khan Board, Dr. Shahzad Jiva. All the Chairmen will attend meeting from their respective offices using internet as the medium of communication. The conduct of exam in the month of June was also advocated by some voices among various boards, however, it is difficult to conduct examination in the month of June due to many reasons. Dr. Shahzad Jiva said that June could be a difficult month for exams scheduling, firstly, due to the situation of all cities owing to COVID – 19 and secondly, all the boards and provincial governments will need 6 – 8 weeks of time in preparing for the exams.
IBCC mentioned that maintaining social distancing during the examination will be a big challenge. Dr. Shahzad Jiva told us that even if social distancing is practiced within the examination halls, the management of the entire center is highly difficult. He further added that possible window of conducting exams is in the month of July and we will have to work on our toes for conducting 9th, 11th and 12th grade exams in a single month. If the examinations are further postponed by IBCC, in such a scenario, they will also finalize a mechanism of direct grading. Chairman Agha Khan Board, Dr. Shahzad Jiva concluded his briefing by saying that IBCC will take all the decisions based on ensuring educational endurance, transparency and fairness for the students of all educational boards. Lastly, the aim of IBCC is to move forward in a same direction by adopting a uniform policy.