LAHORE - The number of A-level students who may get admission in medical college this year is expected to be too small as compared to FSc students as a result the unsuccessful students have no option like in the past other than to go abroad and study there. These students who could not clear the entry test will be left with no option but to go abroad for studies as their qualifications are internationally recognised and they can get admission in the top educational institutions of the world but unluckily not in Pakistan. It is all owing to the Inter Board of Chairmen Committee's decision to put a seal of 935 marks on the A level students while many FSc students are now getting more than 1,000 marks leaving no room for them. This is evident from a study made as to how many A-level students got admission in the recent past. Facts collected by The Nation revealed that the presence of A level students in medical colleges was extremely pathetic in 2007. Sources in the University of Health Sciences whcih conducted the entry test disclosed to The Nation that this year the number of A level students getting admission in the medical colleges may further fall this year as FSc students have shown better results than last year. "This is all very disturbing to the administration and an important meeting is expected on Monday (today) to discuss the issue," sources said. "In 2007 in Punjab 1,867 students could get admission in medical colleges and of these only 53 were A level and other students with foreign qualifications. A level students form 30 percent of all students. This means that at least 560 students should have got admission but that was not so," sources said. Last year only one A level student could get admission in the premier educational institution King Edward Medical University on open merit. Four A level students managed to get admission on self finance basis. Five students got admission in Allama Iqbal Medical College on open merit while three got admission through self-finance scheme. In Fatima Jinnah Medical college one student got admission on open merit while one got admission through self-finance. The same was the number at Nishtar Medical College. The best and the brightest students of this country, many of whom have achieved distinctions and high grades after competing with students from across the world face the situation wherein they may not be able to further study in their own country. The discriminatory policy of IBCC is making the students and their parents run from pillar to post but to no avail. Some have sent appeals to the head of state, the chief minister of Punjab while some have challenged the IBCC policy in the court of law. Private educational institutions that educate O and A level students for different UK examination boards have deplored the situation and urged the IBCC to review the process of equivalence. It is not that everyone is indifferent to the situation. The new chairman of Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Prof Dr Muhammad Akram Kashmiri has shown concern over the issue and announced that he would be holding a conference of renowned educationists to address this issue.