The Punjab government is considering removal of entry test, before joining any professional colleges, such as engineering and medical colleges. This step, if taken will destroy the merit system. Shahbaz Sharif had initially introduced the entry test system during one of his earlier stints as CM Punjab. Gen Musharraf government, considering it a step in the right direction did not tinker with it. Why does CM Punjab want to abolish the entry test now when he was the one who introduced it?
I am surprised how the so-called educationists, who attended the meeting held in this regard, by education minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad, supported him in his move to remove the entry test. When teaching, I can easily tell if a student had obtained marks by studying or had cheated. Already the policy of awarding PhDs in bulk has damaged the reputation of this high achievement. How does CM Punjab, as an enlightened man, reconcile this with the idea of removing the entry test, is difficult to understand. He should invite the opinion of genuine educationists and not the pseudo ones, before he takes a final decision on a subject with far-reaching consequences.
PROF FAJUNE PIRZADA,
Lahore, October 23.