Latest news with #CIE
Express Tribune
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
NA panel to probe CIE paper leaks
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Education has expressed lack of confidence in the Cambridge examination system and decided to investigate the alleged leak of papers during the recent CIE exams. The committee — which met with MNA Azeem Zahid in the chair — expressed serious concerns over the declining credibility of CIE in Pakistan due to repeated incidents of paper leaks. Muhammad Ali Sarfraz, an MNA from Faisalabad, shared purported video evidence provided by students that allegedly confirms the leak of papers from the May 2025 O and A Level exam series. While the malpractice may have benefitted only a small group of students, Cambridge's response — either cancelling exams or relying on average-based grading — could unfairly penalise a large number of students. He urged Cambridge to consider re-administering the affected papers or adjusting the grade thresholds. The committee also questioned the oversight mechanism for CIE in Pakistan. A representative from the Ministry of Federal Education clarified that the ministry does not regulate Cambridge assessments, placing responsibility with the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC). However, IBCC Executive Director Dr Ghulam Ali Malah said that he had not been formally assigned any such oversight responsibility. He revealed that authorisation had previously been granted — without IBCC consultation — to allow Cambridge exams to be conducted by private schools in addition to the British Council. Dr Malah referred to a similar incident last year, when a paper was cancelled due to a leak, Cambridge failed to share the results of its internal investigation with IBCC. Instead, the committee learnt of the developments through legal notices. In the end, the committee decided to set up a subcommittee to independently investigate the leaks. The subcommittee comprises Dr Aleem, Zaib Jaffar, Muhammad Ali Sarfraz, and Dr Ghulam Ali Malah. It has been tasked with reviewing the circumstances of the exam breaches and, if required, will seek to engage with Cambridge representatives based abroad due to the limited mandate of local officials, including Cambridge's Pakistan representative, Uzma Yousaf. The investigation is scheduled to begin after June 16, following a request from Yousaf. During the meeting, she attempted to shift attention by criticising the performance of Pakistani education boards, suggesting that many students opt for Cambridge due to their shortcomings. However, committee members rebuffed her remarks, saying that not all Pakistani boards perform poorly and that her focus should remain on addressing the issues within the Cambridge system. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fairness and transparency in academic assessments and stressed the importance of protecting students from the consequences of administrative lapses.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Eroding CIE sanctity
Listen to article The benchmark for academic excellence, the Cambridge International Education (CIE) system is now grappling with an erosion of trust in Pakistan. What was long considered a gold standard for objective, merit-based assessment is being questioned due to cracks in the conduct of its examinations. Until recently, the British Council maintained exclusive authority over O and A Level exams in Pakistan, ensuring a centralised system with standardised controls. However, a shift over the past two years has allowed over 20 private schools, primarily in Karachi and Islamabad, to independently conduct these high-stakes assessments. With this decentralisation has come an alarming uptick in exam paper leaks and accountability failures. The recent leak of an AS-level Physics paper has sent shockwaves through the academic community. Whisper networks of leaked material for other subjects now taint what should be a level-playing field. Moreover, the absence of transparent inquiry outcomes or concrete disciplinary actions only compounds the sense of helplessness. Decentralisation, without robust oversight, is a recipe for disorder. When students sitting the same exam in different venues face radically different levels of security and fairness, the legitimacy of the entire examination process is called into question. The stakes are too high for complacency. Students spend years preparing for these exams, often at significant financial and emotional cost. For their future to be jeopardised due to administrative lapses or weak accountability is unacceptable. Cambridge International must move swiftly to restore faith by re-evaluating its decentralisation model or enforcing strict audit protocols for participating schools. Anything less would be a disservice. The credibility of Cambridge assessments has been a source of pride and a pathway to opportunity for thousands of Pakistani students. Let us not allow systemic carelessness to diminish a reputation built over decades.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Will CIE lose its edge?
Once regarded as a gold standard in academic assessment, Cambridge International Education (CIE) is now facing increasing scrutiny in Pakistan. Following a recent shift that allowed private schools to independently conduct O and A Level examinations - previously handled solely by the British Council - reports of paper leaks, and lack of accountability have cast a shadow over the system. Stakeholders are questioning whether the integrity and global standing of Cambridge qualifications in Pakistan are being compromised. Until just two years ago, the British Council was the sole authority overseeing these exams in Pakistan. Now, over 20 private schools in Karachi and Islamabad are conducting the exams themselves. This decentralisation has raised serious concerns about transparency and security. Reports of exam paper leaks are on the rise, causing distress among thousands of students and their parents. Recently, an AS-level Physics paper was reportedly leaked and widely circulated on social media before the scheduled exam. Similar claims have emerged regarding other subjects. As more schools gain the authority to conduct exams independently, the risk of compromised exam integrity appears to grow proportionally. Cambridge International has acknowledged some of the leaks in a public Facebook statement, urging students to stay focused and promising investigations. However, the lack of transparency around these investigations - particularly the absence of shared findings or any disclosed disciplinary actions - has left stakeholders dissatisfied and concerned. Parents and students fear that ineffective preventive measures could lead to more leaks in the future. The decision to let private schools conduct exams reportedly stemmed from a former official at the Federal Ministry of Education. However, the ministry now appears to be powerless in addressing the fallout, including the ongoing paper leak scandal. While CIE administers the General Certificate of Education (GCE) O and A Levels in Pakistan, it's worth noting that these programmes were phased out in the UK in 1986 and have not been part of the official education system there for nearly four decades. Another point of contention is the continued use of the outdated alphabetical grading system (A* to E), as opposed to the numerical system (1 to 9) now standard in the UK. Some education experts argue that this inconsistency places Pakistani students at a disadvantage when competing globally for academic and professional opportunities. Pakistani parents spend an estimated Rs 30 billion annually on Cambridge exams. When papers are leaked and exams are not rescheduled, students are often graded based on predicted scores instead of their actual performance - undermining the entire purpose of standardised assessment. As a result, Cambridge is not only losing its academic superiority in Pakistan but also facing growing criticism from students who feel that the organisation's standards are now limited to curriculum design. With exam execution resembling local board practices, the credibility and perceived value of Cambridge qualifications in Pakistan is diminishing. When contacted by The Express Tribune, a Cambridge spokesperson said, "Cambridge has strict security protocols in place to safeguard exam materials, and these protocols apply equally to our partner institutions and schools." In response to questions about the outdated O-level system, the spokesperson added, "The qualification is internationally recognised and accepted by leading universities worldwide. The exams offer students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills through written, oral, and practical assessments." Regarding the paper leaks, the spokesperson said: "We conduct prompt and thorough investigations into all evidence to ensure fairness in results. However, we can not comment on specific allegations during the exam period in order to keep students focused on their exams."
Irish Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Workers to vote on CIÉ pension deal
CIÉ workers will vote in coming weeks on a new pension deal that offers retired staff increases up to 5 per cent, the group and its unions confirmed on Thursday. The State public transport company and its Trade Union Group reached agreement late on Wednesday on changes to its pension plans that include the first increase in 17 years for former workers. Unions plan to ballot members in coming weeks on the proposals, which introduce some changes to two existing schemes and the introduction of a new fund for workers hired in the future. Almost 6,400 former workers will receive increases of 3, 4, or 5 per cent, depending on retirement date, under the plan. READ MORE [ Retired CIÉ staff in line for first pension increase in 17 years Opens in new window ] CIÉ, owner of Irish Rail, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus, is pledging €30 million to fund this. This will be the first boost to their incomes in 17 years. In a statement, the company and unions said they 'shared the aim of providing a long overdue increase for eligible CIÉ pensioners'.
Irish Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Leading Dublin café bar the Odeon for sale at €6.5m
Having secured the highest price paid for a pub in the Dublin market in 2022 with the €5 million sale of 4 Dame Lane, publican Paul Keaveny has instructed agent Lisney to find a buyer for another of his landmark city centre venues. The Odeon, which is being offered to the market as a going concern at a guide price of €6.5 million, is expected to see strong interest from both publicans and investors. The Odeon occupies the former Harcourt Street Railway Station building in the heart of Dublin 2. Developed originally in 1857, the building served as the terminus for the Harcourt Street railway line between Dublin and Bray until its closure at the direction of the then executive chairman of CIE, Todd Andrews, in January 1959. While Andrews closed the line along with over a dozen other routes that were seen as unviable against the growing use of the private motor car, his decision was viewed with some unease by Éamon de Valera. Andrews explained, according to the Dictionary of Irish Biography, that he had grown tired of watching a few privileged Freemasons from Foxrock using it to go into their meetings in Trinity College 'at the taxpayer's expense'. 1982 - 08/12/1982 page 12 - The old Harcourt Street railway station. Photograph: Dermot O'Shea / THE IRISH TIMES . . . neg no 82/11/259 Following its closure, the Harcourt Street Railway Station building was sold and used as offices up until 1998 when Paul Keaveny acquired it and set about transforming the property into one of Dublin's foremost hospitality venues. READ MORE The Odeon comprises a distinctive café bar-style premises arranged across a two-storey over-basement building. The property, which fronts on to Harcourt Street and its Luas green line stop, retains many of its original period features alongside its contemporary fitout. The Odeon The venue itself is laid out over two principal levels, and comprises a main bar alongside three additional bars at ground-floor level (capacity 650), together with the Bourbon Bar at first-floor level (capacity 200). The two floors can accommodate multiple events simultaneously and have an overall capacity of 850 guests. The Odeon The Odeon The Odeon The Odeon The Odeon, which is being sold as a going concern, has established a reputation over its 27 years in operation, as a popular venue for private parties, corporate events and other social occasions. It has a dedicated DJ and AV setup. The building's outdoor areas include an enclosed beer garden and a heated outdoor terrace arranged between its original arches and columns fronting on to Harcourt Street. The Odeon The Odeon Rory Browne, who is handling the sale on behalf of Lisney, says: 'The Odeon represents an opportunity to acquire one of Dublin's most iconic and instantly recognisable licensed premises. This is an established high-volume and profitable business within a premium trading district that continues to strengthen year on year.' Further details and viewing arrangements are available from Rory Browne and Tony Morrissey of Lisney.
