LAHORE – A large number of students appearing in matriculation exams have expressed anger over the exam dates which are in conflict with the Cricket World Cup matches. Secondary School certificate (SSC) Part II (Class 10) exams are starting from today all over Punjab, whereas SSC Part I (Class 9) exams will kick off from March 21, during the peak time of Cricket World Cup.
Students say matriculation exam is one of the most important steps in their educational careers, while the Cricket World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the country. They say that with increasing academic competition over the years, one could not take the risk of scoring less than 80 percent in exams, for a good score is mandatory for securing a seat in a respectable college.
On the other hand, with Pakistan’s cricket team performing well, it is becoming tempting to watch the cricket matches as well, they say. Sheraz, a student, claimed he has been waiting for World Cup for last four years but his exams have spoiled his party. He said while his brothers and cousins will be making most out of this cricketing event, he will be busy studying and taking exams.
He also said old times were gone when one only needed to score a little more than 60 percent marks. He that BISE would have rescheduled the exams if the World Cup was being played in Pakistan. Usama Sadaqat, another student who is appearing for matriculation exams this year, said he knew he would not be able to resist the game and had starting preparing two months before the exams.
PARENTS’ VIEW: Parents said they will try keeping their children away from television sets and will try to provide a world cup-free environment. A mother of a class 9 student said that she was fond of cricket but she had to ban cricket viewing during the exams. She said during class 9 exams, quarter finals and semi finals will be going on and it will not be easy for students to resist the temptation.
She said that she was already fed up of facebook and now this World Cup had added fuel to the fire. She also said with the use of modern gadgets and technology, teachers’ attention had also been diverted.
BISE’S VIEW: Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore officials claimed that they have been taking these exams during this time of the year for the last several years and their system could have been sabotaged by changing the date-sheet.
A BISE public relations officer said if they delayed exams then the whole system will be disturbed because soon after matriculation exams they had to make arrangements for bachelors’ exams. Owing to limited examination centers, exams of two or more different classes could not take place at one time, he added.
TEACHERS’ VIEW: Pakistan’s performance is adding to the interest of Pakistani fans and according to the teachers, the results of exams will also be affected by the World Cup. Bilal, a teacher, said girls could capitalize on this chance, while boys, who are generally more interested in cricket, might be getting digressed. He said the students’ family should help them out.
Sameed, another teacher, blamed the media for creating too much hype of the World Cup. He said the media’s unprecedented hype of the event could divert students’ attention from their studies to the matches. He said since a large number of students were appearing in these exams, the media should start an awareness campaign for the students and make them study first.
