Sindh intermediate students to get grace marks

The Sindh cabinet on Tuesday approved the allocation of 20% grace marks for first-year intermediate students in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics following controversy over the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) results.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah accorded his approval to the allocation of 20 percent grace marks for all male and female students in the subjects of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. A spokesperson confirmed the announcement, aimed at providing relief to students amid ongoing challenges in the education system.

At the same time, the Chief Minister has directed the Universities and Boards Department to introduce reforms in all education boards across the province. The Chief Secretary has been instructed to form a high-level committee to investigate irregularities within the boards and present a detailed report.

Despite the positive step of awarding grace marks, concerns have been raised over the possible delay in intermediate exams, as only 12 days remain before their scheduled start. The Universities and Boards Department has not yet issued an official notification regarding the grace marks, causing uncertainty among students and parents.

Once the notification is released, the Karachi Intermediate Board will begin implementing the decision. However, the board currently lacks a chairman, which may slow down the process. Following the retirement of Acting Chairman Prof. Sharaf Ali Shah, no temporary or permanent replacement has been appointed, leaving the board without leadership and decision-making authority.

Sources in the Sindh government revealed that the Universities and Boards Department had sent a summary suggesting the chairman of the Karachi Matric Board be given additional charge of the Inter Board. A similar proposal was made for the Hyderabad Board. However, the controlling authority returned both summaries, asking for more details about the qualifications and experience of the suggested officers.

Until further decisions are made, both Karachi and Hyderabad boards remain without chairmen, adding to the uncertainty around the upcoming exams.