Introduction of new system of exams to ensure quality of education: vice chancellor

Sindh University Vice Chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui has said that external examination system introduced by the University aiming to bound the candidates to study course books and get degree with knowledge.
He was addressing the principals and teachers of the affiliated degree colleges of Sindh University jurisdiction in a workshop on Re-structuring of examination for external candidates in affiliated colleges, held at Government Muslim College Hyderabad on Monday organised jointly by the University and Regional Directorate of Colleges Hyderabad the workshop was organised to create awareness among college teachers about new system of examination developed for the candidates appearing in B.A and M.A examination as external candidates.
The Vice Chancellor said that introduction of new system of examination is focused to ensure the quality of education and added that through new system those candidates who would get degree should be worthy of degree with quality of knowledge.
He said that we teachers are failed in imparting of quality of education and society is not happy on this part of duty of the teachers, he said that no system of education would be improved unless we are self critical and self blaming he said that the purpose of the education is to serve the society through education and knowledge.
Addressing teachers the Vice Chancellor said that we are not doing service to society and added that actually education is a very difficult area which needs dedication and sacrifices.
He said that a teachers must be mindful that he is a social reformer for social change in the society he said that the teacher is responsible to educate children of the society and added that those candidates who getting degree with knowledge should feel proud. He invited teachers to help the Vice Chancellor, help children and help to society and perform their duties with justice.
He said that candidates just were only appearing in the examination to get only degree and the society was not happy towards that system of examination. He said that due to lack of the will the new system was pending since many years and people were hesitating to implement it, he said that many quarters including teachers community who need to appreciated support of new system of examination and added that at initial stage some difficulties would occur but surly this system of examination would fulfil the objectives of the education. He said that the teachers from the affiliated colleges perform their examination duties honestly and with their performance society definitely would appreciate them.
He said that the University has brought-out in notice of the Education Minister about problems faced by the degree colleges and he has promised that these problems would be solved on priority basis. Announcing increase of scholarships for Ph.D for the college teachers, the Vice Chancellor said that the Education Minister has ensured that study leave would be granted to the college teachers. Introducing the new system of examination, Controller of Examination Dr Parvez Ahmed Pathan said that dismal situation of degree programs offered to private candidate in relation to its quality; conduct; and contents in Pakistan, Chancellors' Committee was constituted in 2001 and the purpose was to restructure Bachelors (BA) and Masters (MA) degree programs.
He said that a committee comprised of all Vice-Chancellors of the universities of Sindh were invited to suggest ways and means so that adequate tailoring and modifications be made in the present degree program for better education. He said that the matter kept on pending and very limited initiative was made by universities in Sindh and added that it was the vice-chancellor of the University of Sindh Mazharul Haq Siddiqui who took this challenging task on priority basis.
He said that a consultative committee headed by the Vice Chancellor for the purpose formulated while Professor Dr M.Y Khuhawar was appointed its convenor and it was assign to develop a workable proposal, which could be implemented in year 2008.
He said that with discussion conduct of regular and external examinations is split in two phases during the academic calendar, he said that under new schedule December every year is proposed for regular examinations and month of September or October every year for external examinations. Highlighting process and procedure of new system of examination Dr Pathan said that committee divided entire task into three major parts: ie Application and registration; Development and design; and Assessment and Examinations. He said that three assignments per each optional as well as compulsory subject in each discipline offered. Each Assignment will carry 10 marks.
He pointed out that progress of receiving assignment remained poor especially for assignment 2 and 3 and added that there was no way to postpone the schedule of written examination. Thus, both assignments were replaced by oral examination carrying 20 marks at the end of examination, he added.
He pointed out that question paper shall be comprised of a mix of MCQs, Short notes and descriptive ones with maximum marks of 70. The examinations shall be held in all district headquarters in the Jurisdiction of the University of Sindh Dr Pathan said. The convenor of consultative committee Dr M.Y. Khuhawer speaking on the occasion highlighted main features of the proposed system of examination and said that this new system is a better and beneficial for candidates appearing in examination as external candidates. Professor Abdul Salam Khoja ,Director, Colleges Hyderabad Region, Professor Muhammad Nawaz Channa, Principal, Government Muslim College and others also expressed their views.
Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Rafia Ahmed Shaikh, Deans of various faculties, Registrar Muhammad Saleh Rajar, heads of different teaching institutes and departments of the University, all Principals of affiliated degree colleges also attended the workshop.