Court Takes Notice of Zero Marks Given to Class 9th Student

The Peshawar High Court summoned the chairman, controller of examinations, and other officials from the Peshawar Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education to address a student's complaint about receiving zero marks in a Biology theory paper. The student, Abdul Moiz Khan, challenged the zero marks given by the board during the Biology I theory examination.

Judge Ijaz Anwar expressed concern over the error, noting that it only came to light after the student sought court intervention. The board's legal counsel admitted to the incorrect marking and explained that the student's paper had been mistakenly assigned a different number after being given computer-generated codes. The court criticized the board for failing to produce the original exam paper and directed them to do so at the next hearing.

Judge Anwar warned that awarding zero marks is not a minor issue and may require disciplinary action against those responsible, emphasizing that the matter has become routine for the board. The petitioner's counsel mentioned that around 1.9 million students had requested rechecking of their results, and the board claimed the issue had been resolved.

However, the court insisted that such errors should not be overlooked and adjourned the case until September 9.