Sindh Assembly approves grace marks for Karachi's first-year students

Karachi: The Sindh Assembly's parliamentary committee has approved the granting of grace marks to first-year intermediate students in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in Karachi.

The committee, formed under the convenorship of Sindh Minister Syed Sardar Shah, looked into the results of first-year intermediate students in Karachi and approved granting grace marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Students will receive 15% grace marks in Physics and Mathematics, and 20% in Chemistry.

The parliamentary committee approved this decision based on the proposed report by the Fact-Finding Committee, chaired by former NED Vice-Chancellor Dr. Soroush Lodhi.

This was announced by Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah during a press conference on Tuesday evening at the Sindh Assembly building, along with MQM member Abdul Wasim, Jamaat-e-Islami member Muhammad Farooq, PTI member Abdul Rashid Qureshi, and other parliamentary leaders.

Sardar Shah stated that the final approval for the grace marks would come from the Chief Minister of Sindh, and the Universities and Boards Department would issue the notification for this decision.

During the press conference, members mentioned that the Fact-Finding Committee raised several questions regarding the board's administrative structure, assessment, IT section, and examinations. They also pointed out that it has been proven that Karachi's students have been treated unfairly, and according to the committee's report, results have been consistently declining over the past eight years. Comparing these results with other boards, Karachi’s results have been lower, and now it is necessary to address not only Karachi but also the matters of all boards.

Syed Sardar Shah further stated that grace marks would be given to all students in these three subjects: 15% in Physics and Mathematics, and 20% in Chemistry. He also mentioned that action against the responsible parties has been recommended.

To identify the responsible parties and further investigate the matter, he said that they have requested a mandate from the Sindh Assembly.

When asked about government colleges, the Chief Minister of Sindh said that they could also review the results of the colleges individually to take action if needed.

The press conference concluded with the statement that it has been proven that Karachi’s students have been treated unfairly. MQM member Abdul Wasim emphasized that Karachi's students have been disadvantaged by reducing their marks while increasing those of students from other educational boards in Sindh. He added that they have also requested a mandate from the assembly to check the results of other educational boards.