Malala Day observed in Peshawar

A group of civil society organisations on Tuesday observed Malala Day, aimed to highlight the leading role that youth can play in enabling all children to get an education. The function was held under auspices of Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network (PCNS) in collaboration with Khwendo Kor, MEN UNiTE, TNC, and Education Watch KP/FATA, at press club here.

“Malala is an inspiration to millions” says Qamar Naseem co-ordinator of MEN UNiTE Network. “Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should immediately adopt resolution in favour of Malala Yousafzai which is still pending. Girls in Pakistan are often denied opportunities for education. Lack of education limits prospects, decreases family income, reduces health, puts women and girls at risk of trafficking and exploitation, and limits the economic advancement of entire country”, he added.

Zar Ali Khan of Tribal NGOs consortium while talking on the occasion said “For many, schooling is an opportunity of the past, leaving as the only options menial labour and, for growing numbers of girls, childhood marriage, it is disappointing to see that children in FATA face violence, the hardships of displacement, and the aggression of radical ideology every day which is unacceptable”. While it is encouraging to see that a small moment for the education of girls in Swat Valley; it is spreading now all over the world.” Maryam Bibi of Khwendo Kor while expressing her views on this occasion said that “Khwendo Kor believes that education for girls and women is the single most effective way to improve the lives of individual families as well as to bring economic development to poor communities world-wide”.

Business Recorder

Girls take top positions in AKU-EB exams

KARACHI: Girls once again kept the upper hand as the Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) announced the results for Secondary (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificates (HSSC) for their May 2015 examination session.

This year, the board assessed students in 94 subjects at 29 centres in 24 cities across Pakistan.

The overall passing rate for SSC Part I was 88.4 per cent with 45 per cent of the candidates scoring A Grade and above. Meanwhile, the overall passing rate for SSC Part II was 90.6pc with 54.5pc of the candidates obtaining A Grade and above.

Among the successful candidates Mariam Sajjad from PECHS Girls’ School, Karachi, scored 94.9pc and secured the first position for SSC. “I plan to take admission in pre-medical and will continue my studies with AKU-EB,” said Mariam, who also clinched the first position in elective subjects of Science group.

The reason for her preference for the board, she said, was that it encouraged conceptual learning and during the exams they had to give short answers based on their concepts. “So there is no rote learning at all,” she added.

Second SSC position holder Asifa Maqbool from the same school obtained 93.18pc. “I am very excited and feel on top of the world right now. Ever since I came into grade nine, I have been working very hard and dreamt about securing the top position. Initially, I thought that AKU-EB examinations will be difficult but actually they are not. The course of study is designed towards the practical side of life,” said Asifa.

Uzma Durre Sameen from Maryam Siddiqa Girls Higher Secondary School, Chenab Nagar, Punjab, scored overall third position in SSC examination.

Anoosha Rahim from Habib Girls’ School, Karachi, secured the first position in elective subjects of Humanities group.

Both first and second positions in HSSC examination were also secured by girls from Aga Khan Higher Secondary School Karimabad, Karachi.

Not only did Fatema Quaid Johar clinch the overall first position in HSSC examination with 93.45pc, she also topped in the elective subjects of pre-engineering group.

The second position holder for HSSC examination, Marium Zehra scored 91.45pc.
Faiza Jamal from Habib Girls’ School, Karachi secured the overall third position in HSSC examination and also stood first in pre-medical elective subjects.

HSSC group-wise position holders for elective subjects in commerce, humanities, general science and pre-engineering include Muneeba Hamid and Ramsha Abdul Karim from Habib Girls’ School Karachi; Rajnesh Roop Chand from St. Bonaventure’s High School, Hyderabad; and Hissam Karim from Aga Khan Higher Secondary School Karimabad, Karachi respectively.

This year passing rate for HSSC Part I examination was 88.3pc with 35.2pc of the candidates scoring A Grade and above. The passing rate for HSSC Part II examination was 92.2pc with 46.2pc of the candidates obtaining A Grade and above.

“Congratulations to all the candidates who worked hard in preparing for the exams. The students who have successfully passed AKU-EB examinations demonstrate higher-order cognitive skills and the ability to use critical thinking and problem solving skills,” said Dr Shehzad Jeeva, Director, AKU-EB.

Dawn