The Peshawar University drew criticism on Wednesday when an exam of the political science department of the university asked students to weigh in on the ongoing Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM).
The question that appeared in the examination asked, “The PTM is an emerging phenomenon, surrounded by a lot of hopes and controversies. Being the students of politics, give your scholarly opinion about it.”
Peshawar University Political Sciences Department Chairman Dr AZ Hilali told a local English daily that the question was dropped from the question papers and was not a part of the syllabus, adding that explanation had also been sought from the teacher who drafted the paper.
After the post went viral on social media, different quarters had their own take on the issue with some lambasting it while others lauded the move by the varsity.
“Our teachers are given the license to only draft papers according to the syllabus with this being an infringement of the rules,” Hilali said. “For the current affairs paper, teachers can include ongoing political activities which are in the national interests,” he added.
He said that according to the rules, the teachers would have to get the go-ahead from the head of the concerned department.
“When I went into the exam hall to check the paper, I immediately told students to not attempt the question as it isn’t in the syllabus,” the department head said.
“The teacher verbally apologised for the violation,” he added.
He said that according to the university’s rules they have asked him for an explanation from him and a notice has been sent to him to which he sent a written apology.