Karachi: The recently announced results of the NED University of Engineering and Technology’s entry test have revealed a significant education gap between students from Karachi and those from other regions of Sindh.
Out of a total of 9,388 candidates, 2,990 students failed to qualify, resulting in an overall failure rate of 31.9%.
Performance by Boards
The disparity in performance between various educational boards is alarming:
- Karachi Board (BIEK): Out of 5,951 students, only 1,387 failed (failure rate: 23.4%).
- Hyderabad Board: 406 out of 764 students failed (53.3% failure).
- Larkana Board: 219 out of 322 failed (68.1% failure).
- Mirpurkhas Board: 308 out of 522 failed (59.1% failure).
- Nawabshah Board: 144 out of 261 failed (55.2% failure).
- Sukkur Board: 176 out of 266 failed (66.2% failure).
Cambridge Students Excel
Students from the Cambridge education system demonstrated exceptional performance:
Out of 455 students, only 28 failed, reflecting a pass percentage of over 98%.
Expert Insights
Prof. Faqir Muhammad Lakho, Chairperson of the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), explained the divide:
“Students from Karachi have better access to resources, private tutors, and testing guidance. In contrast, those from rural Sindh often have to travel long distances, facing fatigue and anxiety before reaching the exam centers.”
He emphasized the need to decentralize testing, suggesting that NED University should establish regional centers—similar to MDCAT testing—to ensure fair access for all students across Sindh.