Tag: education

  • Khyber schools shifting to a new examination system

    Khyber schools shifting to a new examination system

    The District Education Office has launched a novel approach to annual examinations, emphasizing student learning outcomes (SLO) over rote memorization. This initiative aims to shift the focus from cramming to demonstrating genuine subject knowledge in exam papers.

    According to officials speaking to Dawn, the inspiration for the SLO-based exam system stems from the annual intermediate exams conducted by the board of Intermediate and secondary education. Under this system, subject specialists set uniform exam papers for all affiliated educational institutions.

    Abdur Rehman, Principal of a government high school in Jamrud and a member of the committee responsible for drafting unified exam papers highlighted that the introduction of the SLO-based system intends to discourage cramming and promote genuine understanding of subjects among students.

    He cited the poor results from last year’s grade 9–10 annual exams as a driving force behind this initiative.

    “The new exam system, which has been introduced at the school level in Khyber district for the first time, will not only help improve exam results, but it will strengthen the mental faculties of the students as well,” he said.

    Under the new system, exam papers consist of two parts: Part I comprises multiple-choice questions (short questions), while Part II includes critical questions aimed at encouraging students to provide detailed answers based on their understanding of the subjects.

    The examinations are currently underway in the district, commencing on March 4 and scheduled to conclude on March 25.

    “A three-member committee engaged at least 12 qualified subject specialists for scrutinising and proofreading new papers,” he said.

    Education expert Bahadar Khan lauded the initiative, emphasizing the quality of papers designed under the SLO-based system, which he believes will benefit both students and teachers.

    Moreover, the system is expected to reduce expenses for schools by eliminating the need for separate exam paper drafting and printing.

    Senior teacher Sharifullah Afridi from a government school in Landi Kotal also praised the new exam system.

    He also said the SLO-based exam system would do away with “laziness and indolence” among teachers and would make them more responsible regarding the discharge of their duties.

  • JI calls for sit-in outside Board of Intermediate Education Karachi after 80 per cent students fail

    JI calls for sit-in outside Board of Intermediate Education Karachi after 80 per cent students fail

    The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced a sit-in outside the Board of Intermediate Education office in Karachi (BoIEK) following the announcement of inter results which revealed that about 80 per cent Arts students had failed.

    In a press conference in Karachi, JI’s city chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman blamed BoIEK for putting children’s future at stake by undermining their education due with their ineptness.

    He has also claimed that the students were subjected to board’s incompetence during examinations such as cheating, paper leaks, and external interference, so much so that Metropolitan University, Karachi University, and NED University can not be deemed as credible anymore.

    Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also called for a protest outside the Intermediate Board office on Friday, asking students to join along with their mark sheets.

    Background

    The results for first-year (Part-I) examination announced by the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) raised concerns as more than 50 per cent of the students have failed.

    According to the inter board spokesperson, 72 per cent of the candidates failed in arts first year (private) and 80 per cent in arts (regular).

    He added that 11,046 candidates participated in the Arts (regular) exams in which only 2,298 candidates were successful while 2,795 candidates participated in the Arts private exams in which 792 candidates passed all the papers.

    Additionally, 63 per cent of the candidates failed in Commerce (private) as 1,986 candidates participated in the exams, out of which 744 candidates passed all the papers.

  • Security situation in Islamabad is under control: IG

    Security situation in Islamabad is under control: IG

    Islamabad Police’s Inspector General, Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, has stated that the security situation in Islamabad is “under control”.

    His statement comes hours after it was reported by news platforms that educational institutions were unexpectedly shut over security concerns.

    Arab News reveals that parents received messages from schools on Monday morning “urging them to pick their children a few hours after they had dropped them off” for reasons pertaining to their “safety and security.”

    According to IG Islamabad, however, the situation is under control.

    “I would like to inform you that the security and law and order situation in Islamabad is currently under control,” Dr. Khan said in a video message posted on X (formerly Twitter).

    “As of now, there is no situation which should cause you to bring about any change in your [routine regarding] schools and colleges and usual way of life out of fear,” he added.

    He added that citizens should avoid moves that could threaten the security of the city.

    What happened earlier?

    On Monday morning, several educational institutes located in Islamabad reportedly closed until further notice amid security concerns.

    According to news reports, Bahria University, Air University, and National Defence University were shut down. Security, in particular areas of and around Margalla road, F-8, and F-10, had been beefed up.

    However, according to ARY News, a number of other schools and colleges were also shut down, adding that sources reported that threat alert suggested that ‘terror attacks’ were to be carried out by “female suicide bombers affiliated with the banned organisations between January 22-24″.

    Geo News reported that according to the Islamabad Police, security was already tight due to the upcoming elections and protests outside the Press Club. Additionally, search operations were conducted yesternight in certain areas.

  • TikTok star Sabrina Bahsoon launches fund for Palestinian children’s education

    TikTok star Sabrina Bahsoon launches fund for Palestinian children’s education

    Lebanese-Malaysian TikTok star Sabrina Bahsoon, also known as “Tube Girl,” is helping Palestinians by initiating a fund to assist Palestinian children. With a following of nearly 800,000 on TikTok, Sabrina has teamed up with Geutanyoe Malaysia, an advocacy group, to provide aid to Palestinian refugees in Malaysia. These refugees have come from Gaza and the West Bank

    Sabrina’s initiative focuses on education and she has established a fund dedicated to sponsoring the schooling of 14 Palestinian children at the Marifah International School in Seri Kembangan, Malaysia. Sabrina’s kind act is all about making sure these children can go to a good school and have the opportunity for a better future.
    Geutanyoe Malaysia has expressed sincere appreciation for Sabrina’s generous support, acknowledging her commitment to the cause through the creation of the “Sabrina Bahsoon’s Fund for Palestinian Children’s Education.”

    It added: “This contribution not only nurtures young minds but also serves as a safe haven for them in a context of protracted displacement. Together, this coordinated effort strengthens our resolve to empower the Palestinian community through education.”

  • Canada’s ‘Startup Visa Program’ with no education, experience, job requirement or age limit

    Canada’s ‘Startup Visa Program’ with no education, experience, job requirement or age limit

    Umair Saleemi, journalist for BBC Urdu, shed light on Canada’s ‘Startup Visa Program’ in his latest piece:

    Every year, thousands of people from India and Pakistan migrate to America, Canada and European countries for better opportunities and a brighter future.

    Therefore, any changes in immigration and work visa laws or the introduction of any new programs are closely monitored in these countries.

    As Canada has changed the work permit law this month, Canadian authorities extended work permits for 18 months due to increased demand in the labour market during the Covid era, which is being phased out from January next year.

    Since then, Canada has initiated a startup visa program has been hailed by some experts as a golden opportunity.

    The program is mainly for talented foreigners who want to establish their own small businesses or startups in Canada.

    Certain criteria have been set to assess the quality of a startup, including innovation, creation of new jobs for local people and ability to compete globally.

    Who can apply for a Canadian Startup Visa?

    To apply for a Canadian start-up visa, a candidate must have a valid business. It is important that the candidate owns the shares of the business. One must hold 10 per cent or more of the company’s shares and have voting power (at shareholders’ meetings).

    A maximum of five people can apply in this program. It is important that the startup is supported by a Canadian organisation or ‘designated body’ and a letter of support is issued.

    Your business must operate from Canada, have its main activities from Canada and be established in Canada.

    In addition to mastering the English language, knowledge of French can further help your startup succeed in Canada. Canadian visa rules require the applicants to be fluent in speaking, writing and understanding either English or French.

    The startup visa candidate also has to provide evidence to the Canadian government that they have the resources to support themselves and their dependents. Candidates cannot manage this money by borrowing money.

    Immigration expert Julie Desai told BBC Gujarati that a startup visa is quite different from a normal work permit visa. Its aim is only to attract businessmen and entrepreneurs to Canada.

    The most important requirement is that the candidate’s business must be innovative enough to create new jobs in Canada, Desai explains. This visa is not for general business people — such start-up plans are needed that they can compete in the world.

    Under this program, the financial resources required by a family can be determined by the number of its members. If only one person wants to go to Canada under this program, one will need 13757 Canadian dollars. This amount can increase if other family members also want to go along. It will also be important to see if the Canadian authorities revise this amount every year.

    Meanwhile the candidate needs a ‘Letter of Support’ for start-up from a recognized business group in Canada. For this the candidate approaches these organisations and assures them that their startup idea deserves support.

    Candidate has to contract with these institutions for a letter of support as this letter is proof that a Canadian investor, such as a venture capital fund, angel investor group or business incubator, supports the candidate’s idea.

    In addition, accredited organisations also issue Canadian Government ‘Certificates of Commitment’ to candidates. The government then verifies both the letters for the visa application.

    The Canadian government may ask for more information about your startup to review the information.

    The Canadian government may reject the application if the letter of support or other requirements are not met.

    Immigration lawyer Prashant Ajmera asserts that it is very important that the startup plan has the support of Canadian organisations, that the candidate has a detailed business plan, and to have knowledge of the Canadian market.

  • Palestinian poet Dr. Refaat Alareer killed in Israeli strike in Gaza

    Palestinian poet Dr. Refaat Alareer killed in Israeli strike in Gaza

    Palestinian poet, writer, literature professor, and activist Dr. Refaat Alareer was killed in an Israeli airstrike, announced on Thursday evening.

    “My heart is broken, my friend and colleague Refaat Alareer was killed with his family a few minutes ago,” wrote his friend, the Gazan poet, Mosab Abu Toha.

    The Israeli airstrike also killed his brother, his sister, and four of her children. He is now survived by his wife, Nusayba, and their children.

    Dr. Alareer was one of the leading contemporary authors in Gaza who settled on writing in English to tell stories of the besieged strip. He was one of the most prominent voices conveying details of the atrocities Israel is committing to global audiences.

    He had been working as a professor of literature and creative writing at the Islamic University of Gaza since 2007.

    His other contributions included co-editing Gaza Unsilenced (2015) and being editor of Gaza Writes Back: Short Stories from Young Writers in Gaza, Palestine (2014).

    Dan Sheehan quotes in LitHub that in his contribution to the 2022 collection Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire, titled “Gaza Asks: When Shall this Pass?”, Refaat writes:

    “It shall pass, I keep hoping. It shall pass, I keep saying. Sometimes I mean it. Sometimes I don’t. And as Gaza keeps gasping for life, we struggle for it to pass, we have no choice but to fight back and to tell her stories. For Palestine.”

    He was also one of the founders of We Are Not Numbers, a nonprofit organisation founded in Gaza following the 2014 Israeli attack and devoted himself to establishing “a new generation of Palestinian writers and thinkers who can bring together a profound change to the Palestinian cause.”

    In November, Alareer published a poem on X entitled “If I must die” that was shared tens of thousands of times. It concludes with the words: “If I must die, let it bring hope, let it be a tale.”

    Via his X (formerly Twitter) account, “Refaat in Gaza“, Dr. Alareer also openly condemned Israeli atrocities being committed in Gaza and was also vocal against the US who has been supporting Israel in its operations.

    Remembering Refaat

    The announcement of Dr. Refaat Alareer’s death evoked a cascade of sorrow and anguish across social media, shared by his friends, colleagues, former students, and followers:

  • ‘No justification for attacking innocent people’: Malala calls for ceasefire in interview with Shahzeb Khanzada

    ‘No justification for attacking innocent people’: Malala calls for ceasefire in interview with Shahzeb Khanzada

    Nobel Prize winner and activist Malala Yousafzai was a guest on GEO’s ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’ where she spoke at length about why she stressed on the need to address the gender apartheid in Afghanistan, adding that a ceasefire in Gaza should be demanded by everyone.

    Speaking to host Shahzeb Khanzada, Malala said she has consistently called for a ceasefire since the last month because targeting innocent people cannot be justified.

    “There is no explanation for attacking innocent people. So many children have been killed and families have become homeless because of the attack,” stressed the girls education activist. “I’m worried that there isn’t a lot of pressure right now to stop the war.”

    Malala urged audiences to pressurise their leaders to call for the UN to insert global pressure on Israel to stop the genocide.

    On Tuesday, Malala was the target of outrage when during a 15 minute speech at the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture, she did not call out Israel for being an apartheid state because of the ongoing Gaza genocide which has now claimed more than 20,000 lives.

    READ MORE: ‘Massive dissapointment’: Malala’s failure to mention genocide in Gaza during lecture has Twitter angry

    Malala also spoke on the show about the Nelson Mandela event where she was the key note speaker, discussing the gender apartheid in Afghanistan, where women and girls face oppression from the Taliban.

    “When I got the opportunity to speak at the Nelson Mandela event, it was important for me to speak about the gender apartheid we’re witnessing today in Afghanistan against women and girls. We can call this situation an apartheid because women and girls are being oppressed and are being deprived of their basic human rights. The state, which is responsible for protecting these women, is the one who is oppressing them.”

    Malala said her lecture addressed the world and the United Nations to urgently address this matter, and to reform the definition of apartheid to include gender in it, so the conversation keeps going forward. She said she will continue to push world leaders to reflect on how women in Afghanistan cannot study, go outside their homes or even visit a doctor without permission from a man.

    Malala also addressed the ongoing Afghan refugee crisis in Pakistan, calling it a “cruel decision” to send young Afghan girls back to a country where they would never be allowed to study again.

    “This is a difficult time for many Afghan families who are being forcefully sent back to Afghanistan. Several of them escaped in 2021 because of the threat of the Taliban’s rise, and among them are several feminist activists whose lives are under threat if they went back. Some of these families had stayed in Afghanistan for 20 to 30 years, and have girls who were studying in schools…I am extremely worried for these girls because she will never be able to see a school if she is sent back to Afghanistan.”

    Malala slammed the government decision as against our “human rights, culture and religion’. She pointed out that in Islam, Muslims are urged to take care of others. The activist urged Pakistani authorities to revoke the decision and give support to Afghan refugees, to prevent little girls from going back to a country which would rob them of their rights.

  • Fulbright scholarship: TOEFL replaced by Duolingo English Test for 2025

    Fulbright scholarship: TOEFL replaced by Duolingo English Test for 2025

    The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) has announced an update in the language proficiency test for the Fulbright Scholarship Program for the year 2025.

    Applicants were previously required to pass TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), which will now be replaced by the Duolingo English Test.

    Fulbright scholarship program: Duolingo english test replaces TOEFL for 2025

    The eligibility criteria for the Fulbright Scholarship Program, however, is the same as before.

    A generously funded scholarship programme, Fulbright is open for all Pakistanis citizens with a strong academic background, who commit to return back and serve Pakistan.

    Preference is given to women, individuals with disabilities, and those hailing from specific regions such as Balochistan, Northern Sindh, Southern Punjab, KP, AJK, and GB.

    Application and documentation

    Prospective applicants are required to submit an application form along with three reference letters, a GRE score report, and scanned transcripts.

    Deadline and submission

    The deadline for applications for the 2025 Fulbright Scholarship Program is February 28, 2024, accessible through the USEFP’s website.

  • 65-year-old man goes to school in Dir

    65-year-old Dilawar Khan from Dir Upper has enrolled in the first grade of a local primary school to improve his reading and writing skills.

    Khan and his classmates have a stark age gap as the fellow students are younger than his grandchildren.

    While talking to The Express Tribune, a local resident of the area revealed that, “Dilawar Khan, hailing from a financially struggling family in Dir Upper district, had to forego the luxury of a formal education in his youth to support his family. Yet, his passion for learning endured.”

    Khan has now enrolled into the Government Primary School Khongai to learn to read and write.

    “As a devout Muslim, I believe it is our responsibility to seek knowledge, and I firmly believe that age is merely a number, not a formidable barrier in this pursuit,” Dilawar states.

    Despite his old age, he regularly attends school on time, ensuring punctuality as do his younger classmates.

  • Another exam, more cases of cheating

    Another exam, more cases of cheating

    After cases of cheating during MDCAT examination in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in September, the Public Service Commission examination has also been infiltrated with cheating.

    According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission, a test was held on June 24 for the recruitment of SDO in the Irrigation Department and CNW, during which 18 candidates were caught cheating.

    KP Public Service Commission officials also revealed that electronic devices, guides and other copy materials were recovered from the candidates during the examination.

    Examinations were cancelled and they have been banned from appearing for a period of one year to three years.

    The commission has issued a public notice for re-examination and the relevant test will be held again on December 23.