A Class 9 student in Peshawar was given zero in his Biology paper. After his family went to court, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) ordered the answer sheet to be produced and examined, and the marks changed to 72. The case has raised hard questions about how exam boards handle rechecking. Here is what is known.
What Happened
The student appeared in the Class 9 exams of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Peshawar. The board gave him zero in his Biology theory paper. According to The Express Tribune, when the family asked for re-totalling, the board said the original result was correct and that his marks would not improve.
His father, a lawyer, then went to the PHC through another advocate. The court directed the board to produce the answer sheet and examine it. After that, the board gave the student 72 marks. The Tribune described it as “one paper, two results.”
What the Board Told the Court
ProPakistani and ARY News reported on the August hearings. The board’s lawyer told the court that the answer sheet had been given a wrong computer-generated code, so the zero was an accidental error. ProPakistani also reported that the Biology score was updated to 72 out of 75.
What the Judges Said
The bench was led by Justice Ijaz Anwar. ProPakistani reported that he was seriously concerned that the error only came to light after the student went to court, and that he criticised the board’s legal representative for not producing the original paper despite earlier directions. The judge said such errors keep recurring, and he asked how many other students may have been hit by the same problem but cannot afford to go to court. The court summoned the board’s chairman and the controller of examinations to appear in person.
Why It Matters
- The family says the board rejected the first request for rechecking. Only the court’s involvement led to a review.
- Many families cannot afford lawyers, and a wrong mark can affect a student’s grades, school or later admissions.
- The student’s lawyer said that about 1.9 million students had applied for rechecking and that Rs1,500 was charged per paper. The reports do not say how many of those cases involved mistakes.
The Tribune reported that the family did not want to publicise the case because they feared it could affect the student’s Class 10 exams. An educationist quoted in the reports called for stronger internal checks and a review of the board’s rechecking procedures.
What We Do Not Know Yet
- Final action: No report says that the board or any official has faced disciplinary action. The Tribune says the matter remains pending, and the board chairman did not respond to its calls.
- The exact final mark: Most reports say 72. One report from August said the controller of examinations changed the zero to 65 before the mark sheet was updated to 72. The reports do not explain the difference.
- The student’s name and the hearing dates: Reports use different names for the student, and give both 9 September and 29 September for the adjourned hearing. This article does not name the student, a minor, and does not give a hearing date.
What Students Can Do If a Mark Looks Wrong
- Check your result card against your paper’s attempt. Compare each section’s marks with your expectation.
- Apply to your board for rechecking within the deadline, and pay the official fee.
- Keep copies of your application, payment slip and result card.
- If the board refuses and you believe there is an error, ask a lawyer about a petition in the high court, as this family did.
Check your own board’s current rules and deadlines, since they differ from board to board.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in this case?
A Class 9 student in Peshawar was given zero in Biology. After a PHC order to examine his answer sheet, he got 72.
Which board was it?
BISE Peshawar.
Why was zero given?
The board’s lawyer told the court that the paper had a wrong computer-generated code. Reports do not give a full official explanation.
Was anyone punished?
No action has been reported so far.
Is the case over?
The Tribune says the matter remains pending.
One wrong number nearly cost a student a year of marks. The court’s follow-up will show whether the board changes how it checks and handles complaints.
