The examination system in Pakistan

By

Allah Nawaz

Nazir Haidar Shah

Abdul Ghaffar Tahir

Muhammad Masaud Asdaquenawaz_6805608@yahoo.com

Introduction, an over view integral part of teaching learning process

purpose of examination systemaccountability for institution and their standingfor the achievement of objectivesassess the competence for admission and employment

Historical back ground

Inherited from the British system, the model of the university of London

Establishment of madras and Calcutta universities in 1857

Matriculation became a gateway to govt. service

Hartog committee 1929

Matriculation sets a standard of achievement and as a gate to higher edu.

After that a degree was a key to a job

Post-independence scenario

Function of external system did not change with independenceOnly the Punjab university had the experience of examination In 1961 – 62 there were ten universities which were conducting their examinationEstablishments of educational boardsKarachi board 1950Lahore board 1954In late sixties ten boards were establishedExternal system of examination

Internal system of examination

In mid seventies internal system was adopted;

Agriculture university, Faisalabad

Institute of business Management (IBA)

Karachi university and

Quaid-e-Azam university at graduate level

know it is established in almost all universities

Some draw back of annual system of examination

LeakageImpersonation External assistanceSmuggling of unauthorized materialCopying from a nearby candidateIntimidationCollusionGhost centersSubstitution of scripts and Irregularities of supervisory staff by allocating more time to some students

The main recommendations of the various education policies and reports

Commission on national education 1959

Suggested that

75% for external evaluation and

25% for internal evaluation

Except in case of technical and practical subjects

The commission on student problems and welfare 1966

Major suggestions were;

Supplementary examination should be available to such students who fail in only one subject

Recommendation of national tests

These are voluntary and assess the overall attainments of students

The seminar on examination 1969

Made a critical appraisal of the system of educationIdentified the defects in examination systemSame examination for both private and regular candidates was criticized Improve the facilities to conduct examinationTraining of teacher in educational measurement Strict action against persons involved in unfair means

The national committee on examination 1970

Major recommendations were;

Shift to more weightage to class room testing and training of examination

Commitment by the local community for the fair conduct of examination

Improving the supervision of centers

The education policy 1972-80

Suggested some radical changes in the system of examination;

Abolition of annual system of examination

Introduction of cumulative records

Passing a law to take action against indiscipline in examination centers

National education policy 1978

Consider the present system of education as one of the major reasons in the declining of education standard The policy suggest the gradual shift for adoption of periodic examination system Course wise in the certificates to be issued

Examination reforms in technical education 1977

The report presented in the national conference on examination suggested that;

An action plan form refer to a gradual shift to internal assessment, improvement of class room testing, establishing relevance between test content and curriculum objectives

A task group on examination1985

It was set up by the ministry of education

it is about the relevance of objectives and the teaching learning process.

Treatment on assessment of practical subjects

Educational policy 1992

Major recommendations were;A national testing service will be set upBoth the external and internal system will continue to co-exist Steps will be taken to improve the quality of managerial skills on their personnel throughTraining, rationalizing staff, space and equipment allocationPostponement of examination will be avoided Rapid squads will be deployed to inspect the centers

The preparation and declaration of results shall be fully mechanizedAll examination papers will be so organized as to include objective type questions, short answers and essay type All universities following the semester system will adopt a uniform grading scale as approved by the university grants commission Internal evaluation will be introduced as a performance indicator along with the result of annual examination

Educational policy 1998

the system of examination should discourage rote-learning and emphasis be laid on the acquisition of real knowledgeThe examination department of the university shall be reorganizedDepartment shall be fully computerizedThe present examination system shall be further improvedThe national testing service shall be expanded GRETOEFL GAT

Educational policy 2009

Education system needs to be internationally competitive and Pakistan shall make efforts to offer itself for international level academic assessments by 2012 Student performance shall be based on assessing competence and reviews of the assessment system.Multiple assessment tools in addition to traditional examinations shall be explored

National standards shall be developed to reduce the differences in quality across regions The Education Boards shall be responsible for capacity building of paper setters and examiners A comprehensive plan shall be prepared to eliminate cheating from examinations A quality cycle management shall link the various systems of assessment and institutions involved in assessment to provide feedback to curriculum development, textbooks development and teacher education and professional development

Curriculum development

Integral part of T.L process

Determine the standard and quality of an educational system

It should be modern and relevant to what is needed for our national development

Selection of material should be controlled by purpose

Efforts to curriculum development

Constitution of 1973 under the concurrent legislate list

Curriculum syllabus, planning, centre of excellence and standards of education

textbooks

Islamic education

Legal, medical and other profession

Education include for social cohesion and national integration

University Grants Commission Act of1974

Federal supervision of curricula, textbooks, maintenance of standards of education act of 1976

Higher Education Commission 2002