TAHIR AMIN

ISLAMABAD: The meeting of all educational boards regarding examinations remained inconclusive on Monday, and decided to finalize a comprehensive policy by Friday.

A meeting of all educational boards held through video link was chaired by Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood on Monday.

Soon after the meeting, the minister stated that all board examinations had been cancelled; however some categories’ issues would be addressed by Friday.

The minister took to twitter on Monday, and stated that the Ministry of Education had been in consultation with 29 boards across the country regarding issues of some students arising out of promotion policy.

A number of clarifications have been sought after the board exam cancellation by students who were giving composite class 12 exam or hoped to do better in 12 compared to 11 or reappear, and private students or those having supplementary etc.

The minister earlier announced to answer all queries on Monday.

However, on Monday the minister stated, “All board exams are cancelled. No confusion on that. 80 percent students have no issues. There are some categories like repeaters or improvers and private students and some others whose issues need to be addressed and will be by Friday,” he added.

He further said that boards had requested few more days to finalise recommendations.

A comprehensive announcement on all issues will be made by Friday.

The inter-provincial education ministers’ conference last month failed to develop consensus on the re-opening of educational institutes, and decided to send the matter to the National Coordination Committee (NCC).

The provincial governments of the Punjab, Balochistan and the Sindh opposed the opening of educational institutes from June 1; however the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa supported it.

The three provinces were of the view that the coronavirus outbreak was feared and educational institutes should remain closed.

In case of disagreement among the provinces, it was decided to keep the matter in the next meeting of the National Coordinating Committee.

The NCC chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to keep educational institutes closed till July 15, 2020.