Social Activist and lawyer Jibran Nasir has approached the Sindh High Court to cancel O/A level exams and instead evaluate students through School Assessed Grades.
The petition was filed in the court on Friday on behalf of O and A level students across the country.
Earlier this month, the government announced that O level exams will begin on May 10, while As and A level assessments will begin on April 26.
Opposing this, the petition said that conducting exams poses a threat to thousands of students by exposing them to the risk of contracting coronavirus which is unlawful.
“When classes have been suspended for all students from grades one to 12, and inter and matric exams have been moved to the last week of May, why does the government think it’s fit for thousands of O and A level students to attempt physical exams at multiple times and dates,” the petition reasoned.
It stated that O and A level exams starting April 26 and May 10 should be cancelled.
“The board [Cambridge] should instead take up the option of evaluating students through the method of School Assessed Grades.” This means that students should be graded on the basis of the online classes and assignments.
Nasir said that Cambridge doesn’t give the option of conducting online exams.The petition demanded the government responds to questions on the safety of students, invigilators, and staff members at each and every examination centre against the deadly virus.
The lawyer told media that the court had admitted the petition and has issued notices to the NCOC, education ministry, and the Cambridge International Education board. They have been summoned to court on April 15.
“April 17 is the last day to switch physical exams to school assessed grades,” he added.
