Latest news with #BISELahore
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Guess paper culture hinders academic learning
The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore has imposed a ban on sharing five-year guess papers on social media. However, despite this restriction, guess papers for various classes are readily available in the market, and students continue to rely on them to achieve high marks in their exams. Students who, for any reason, are unable to complete their syllabus often turn to these guess papers to identify which questions have been repeatedly asked in different subjects over the past five years and which important topics from the syllabus were included in exam papers. In their opinion, preparing this way makes it easier to obtain passing marks. Umme Rubab, a second-year student, believed that if the educational curriculum were better and the teaching methods were more effective, students would not have to rely on guess papers. 'In fact, some teachers even advise students to buy guess papers, thinking that student success would also reflect positively on their own performance,' informed Rubab. Likewise, Ali Hamza, who appeared for the matriculation exams last month, revealed that 80 per cent of the questions in the Mathematics and English exams were the same as those he had prepared for from the guess papers. 'This is especially true for the objective-type questions which are easier to memorize,' said Hamza. Where the reliance on guess papers has become ingrained in the educational system, experts have differing opinions on how it impacts students' creative abilities. Professor Dr Iftikhar Ahmed, former Chairman of the Department of Education at the University of Punjab, emphasized the fact that guess papers were merely encouraging rote learning. 'This type of learning negatively affects students' critical thinking, creative analysis, and problem-solving abilities. When students prepare only for expected questions, they miss out on comprehensive study,' highlighted Dr Ahmed. Similarly, Sarah Javed, an educational consultant, opined that if five-year papers were used in a balanced manner within lesson planning, they could be beneficial. 'Unfortunately, however, educational institutions often treat them as a substitute for the curriculum. This style of teaching eliminates any room for students to practice their creativity,' said Javed. Abdul Rehman, principal of a government higher secondary school in Lahore, believed that in order to foster creativity among students, it was essential to ask questions that required thought and analysis. 'Preparation based on guess papers contradicts this approach,' said Rehman. Hence, most educational experts agree that relying on guess papers and past papers hinders the development of students' creative abilities. To reduce this trend, it is important to introduce diversity in curriculum teaching, analytical questions, and creative activities. Looking at the examination results of the BISE Lahore, the success rate of candidates in the matriculation examination in 2020 was 71.51 per cent. In 2021 this rate increased to 98.25 per cent, in 2022 it reached 66.37 per cent, in 2023 it was 74.57 per cent and in 2024 the success rate of successful candidates was 69.75 per cent. Similarly, the success rate of candidates in the intermediate exams in 2024 was 60.45 per cent, in 2023 it was 58.67 per cent, and in 2022 it was 77.40 per cent. On the other hand, in March 2025, Chairman Lahore Board Zaid Bin Maqsood had issued a letter to the heads of all government and private educational institutions, stating that teachers were running different WhatsApp groups, in which question papers related to Lahore Board examinations, guess papers and marking schemes were distributed. This is a punishable offense according to the amended Act of 1999 and the persons involved can be punished with imprisonment for up to 3 years and a fine of Rs50,000. Therefore, the heads of educational institutions should prevent their teachers from sharing Lahore Board question papers in WhatsApp groups.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
BISE Lahore issues new dates for postponed Matric, Intermediate exams
Listen to article The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore has issued a revised examination schedule for Matric and Intermediate exams that were postponed earlier due to heightened tensions between Pakistan and India. According to a notification issued by the Controller of Examinations, the Matric practical exams originally set for May 7—including Biology, Computer Science, and Food & Nutrition—will now be held on May 17. Practical exams scheduled for May 9, covering Biology, Computer Science, and Arts & Model Drawing, will now take place on May 24. The Intermediate-level Tarjuma-Tul-Quran-Ul-Majeed (Compulsory) exam, earlier scheduled for May 9, will now be conducted on May 31. Additionally, the May 7 exams for Islamiyat Studies and the Principle of Accounting have been rescheduled to June 16. BISE Lahore clarified that no new roll number slips will be issued. Students must appear for their exams using their existing slips at their previously assigned examination centres. The board has advised all students to strictly adhere to the updated timetable and attend exams as per the revised schedule.
Express Tribune
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Board exams to restart in Lahore from Monday
Listen to article The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) has announced the resumption of matriculation and intermediate board exams following the recently agreed ceasefire between Pakistan and India. According to an official notification from BISE, exams in Lahore will resume starting tomorrow (May 12). 'Theory papers of Intermediate Part-II (Mathematics, Biology, and Fine Arts, Morning Session; Mathematics and Biology, Evening Session), along with practical exams in Biology, Computer Science, and Art & Model Drawing (First Annual Examinations 2025 onwards), shall resume with effect from May 12,' the notification stated. It further directed that candidates appearing in Intermediate theory papers and SSC practicals for the First Annual Examinations 2025 must report to their already allotted examination centres and laboratories at the scheduled times mentioned on their roll number slips and date sheets. The exams were postponed due to recent escalatory tensions between India and Pakistan, triggered by repeated Indian drone incursions and Pakistan's retaliatory strikes—marking the most serious military confrontation between the two neighbours in decades BISE Lahore, Multan, and other regional boards had delayed several scheduled papers, including those on Quran translation, ethics, and various practical subjects. Zahid Mian, Controller of Examinations at BISE Lahore, confirmed that new dates for the postponed papers will be announced soon. Similar announcements had been made by other regional boards. Authorities stated that updates regarding rescheduled exams will be shared through official channels in the coming days. On Saturday, Pakistan and India agreed to a ceasefire brokered by the United States, averting a wider conflict between the nuclear-armed nations. With the situation returning to normal, the Punjab government has also announced the reopening of all public and private educational institutions across the province starting Monday.
