NTS, HEC putting students future at stake
Karachi, Dec 03: National Testing Service (NTS) that conducts the Graduate Assessment Test (GAT) made compulsory by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for admission to MPhil/PhD and its scholarship programs, has failed to issue the result sheets of candidates who appeared for the assessment test in July.
Moreover, as instructed by the NTS, the students who sent the website-published results for attestation to the concerned authority are yet to receive any response.
The irresponsibility on the part of NTS officials has disqualified the candidates from applying in MPhil/PhD programs at public and private sector institutes because under HEC rules, they do not have any proof of clearing the test.
While the NTS authorities despite repeated requests refused to provide the exact number of candidates who appeared at different centres in Karachi.
The NTS website informs that the results of those students who got 50 percent or more marks would be issued until July 15, 2009; however, it has failed to issue the result sheets to date.
Recently, the Karachi University advertised admissions in MS programmes at different faculties with GAT clearance as mandatory, leaving hundreds of students who passed the tests in a state of uncertainty. It must be remembered that mismanagement in NTS and HEC has become a routine matter but the government has totally ignored these departments.
Zain, a graduate of economics who appeared in the test on July 5, 2009 said that despite several phone calls and emails, he did not receive any response from the NTS authorities.
He said “they are not paying attention to the problems of students outside Islamabad” and added the mismanagement has shattered his dream of starting for the MS programme this year.
“I called them many times but they do not talk on the issue,” said another student Mushfiq, saying the authorities at least should have issued a notification explaining why the results had not been issued.
This scribe also tried to contact the NTS numerous times but no official was available for comments. Two emails were also sent on their email address, but no response was received until the filing of this report.
Source: Daily times
National Testing Service NTS 