The recent Punjab University BA part two 2024 results were shocking. Many students failed the English language exam, with scores as low as between 10 and 20 per cent. This is an unexplainable phenomenon given that many candidates passed English before joining university and, of course, passed English during their BA part one. An inquiry might be necessary. I had a look at the BA part 2 books for the English language and found that they are mostly based on nearly hundred-year-old writings and seem irrelevant to modern English.
Another unexplainable fact is that some candidates who are very good in spoken and written English are among those that failed. The Punjab chief minister should look into this matter. We must realize that with the advent of translation software and AI platforms, strong English language skills are not as necessary as they were 50 years back. Short answer questions and MCQs need to be introduced to the paper.
M Shaikh
Islamabad