In response to a proposal from the Sindh College Education Department, Karachi University is thinking of delaying the implementation of the recently implemented biannual examination system for Associate Degree (AD) programs provided at public institutions by one year.
The administrative and logistical challenges government colleges experienced when implementing the new system are the reason for the proposed deferral. The academic council of the institution has been called to formally discuss the issue.
Faqir Muhammad Lakho, the Regional Director of Colleges for Karachi, suggested postponing the introduction of the biannual test format by a year in a letter to Karachi University.
“Colleges are having difficulties with certain aspects of the rollout, and there are still a number of unresolved issues related to Associate Degree programs (ADC, ADS, and ADA),” the letter said. “The new examination system should be delayed by one year for the benefit of both students and institutions.”
The Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) rules served as the basis for Karachi University’s previous approval of the biannual test format, which was created by Prof. Anila Amber Malik.
The biennial structure, in contrast to the semester-based system, mandates that students take two 100-mark tests per topic year, which are administered exclusively by the university’s Examination Department. In the past, colleges evaluated 40% of grades under the semester system, whereas universities evaluated 60%.
Implementation has been hampered by practical issues, especially when it comes to accommodating private candidates who do not adhere to a regular academic calendar, even though the HEC supports a semester system for associate degrees.
Enrollment in Karachi University’s affiliated institutions has drastically decreased after the HEC changed from a standard two-year bachelor’s degree to a four-year model and reclassified two-year programs as associate degrees.
The institution has verified a sharp drop in this segment’s revenue, which has dropped from Rs800 million to barely Rs200 million annually. In the upcoming days, the academic council is anticipated to make a final decision about the suggested delay.
