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Changes in courses by FBISE puzzle students, teachers

Board official says courses were revised on demand of students By Muqaddam Khan 2015-07-03
SWABI: The local teachers and students have termed the decisions of Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) about changes in courses of secondary school certificate and higher secondary school certificate examinations `strange` and `untimely`.

The teachers of the local schools and colleges, affiliated with FBISE, told Dawn here on Thursday that they informed the students about the revised scheme of studies though its notification was issued late due to unknown reasons. Such changes should be notified before the start of academic calendar, they added.

On June 1, the board notified for information `of all concerned that revised scheme of studies of 1,100 marks and curriculum in the subjects of Pakistan studies, Islamiat and ethics (for non-Muslims) carrying 50 marks each stands implemented w.e.f. the academic year of 2015-16 and onwards at SSC level. Accordingly the subjects of Pakistan studies, Islamiat and ethics shall be taught for two years of class-IX and X both.

In the past, Islamiyat was taught at 9th and Pakistan Studies at 10th grade to the students. The syllabus of the revised courses was also notified and dispatched to institutions across the country. The management of schools said that there was no option so they informed the students about the revised scheme of studies. `It was strange for students as to why the course has been changed late,` said a teacher.

However, when the school were closed for summer vacations they received another notification which said that `notification No. 10/FBISE/RES/CC/SSC/1155 dated 01 June 2015 issued earlier regarding revised scheme of studies of 1,100 marks at SSC level and curriculum in the subjects of Pakistan studies, Islamiyat and ethics (for non-Muslims) carrying 50 marks each, the revised scheme shall now be implemented w.e.f. the academic year of 2016-17 and onwards instead of academic year 2015-16.` The management of the schools said that they couldn`t inform the students about the revised notification owing to summer vacations.

Similarly, a notification No. 1-6/FBISE/RES/CC/ HSSC/1005 was issued in first week of May, saying the board `has decided to revert to the previous curricula and textbook of biology for class XI and XII. Accordingly the students to be admitted in class XI and XII in the year 2015 shall study the textbook of biology published by Punjab Textbook Board, Lahore and shall be examined accordingly.` However, the students already studied and appeared in the examination shall continue to be examined as per previous book notified.

In contrast, a clarification No. 1-6 FBISE/RES/CC/ HSSC/1190 was issued on June 15 which says that `it is clarified for information of all concerned that the students admitted in second year in 2015 will study the textbook-XII published by National Book Foundation, Islamabad and they would be examined from the said book in annual examination 2016 accordingly.

The students and teachers said that revised courses should be finalised and notified before the commencement of the new academic calendar each year and once the academia year was started then there was no need to impose changes on the students at SCC or HSSC level.

FBISE Director Research Zulfiqar Ali Rizvi, when contacted by telephone, said that those students, who had complaints, should contact him. `The revised scheme of studies would now be implemented from academic year 2016-17. This was revised on the demand of the students,` he said.

Syed Qasim Ali Kazmi, controller of examinations, admitted that change in the courses of the studies should be notified before commencement of academic year.