Prominent figures, including Maryam Nawaz Sharif from PML-N and rights activist Jibran Nasir, have voiced support for A-Level students disheartened by the 2023 exams’ outcomes administered by Cambridge International Education (CIE). The students express discontent with lower grades and the contentious rescheduling of exams due to political upheavals in the country.

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A focal point of their concern is the cancellation of exams on May 9-12 amid protests following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. This disrupted the educational landscape, causing students to feel deprived of proper examination options.

Cambridge International Education released AS and A-Level results on August 10, with IGCSE and O-Level outcomes expected the following week. The provided choices, including exam cancellation in May and June followed by rescheduling in October and November or relying on special consideration-based grades, haven’t appeased all students.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s call for a review of the 2023 exam grades echoes students’ frustration. She highlighted the perceived injustice for Pakistani students, emphasizing the adverse impact on university admissions and future careers. Considering the difficult circumstances stemming from political turmoil, Maryam urged CIE to reassess its grading system for fairness.

She commended students for their resilience amid these challenges. Malik Shehroze Iftikhar noted the elevated standards in subjects as a contributing factor to the students’ struggles in achieving desired grades. The collective outcry underscores the need for equitable evaluation and empathetic consideration in an exceptional academic year.