Letter to
President Musharraf
An Issue That Affects Our Future Generations
By Dr. Mohammad A.
Yasin
Auburn, Washington
Honorable Mr. President,
I would like to bring to your
personal attention a matter that affects our future
generations.
Recently, on behalf of my son, Aneeque Yassin,
I applied for an equivalence certificate to the
IBCC. Aneeque attended high school in the US.
In the United States most schools evaluate or
grade students’ progress for learning on
a scale of A, B, C, etc. and some go further by
sub-classifying the learning progress to A+, A,
A-, B+, B, B-, C+ etc. However, the grading is
on the same scale.
When graded under the simple ABC method, A is
the equivalent of 90% to 100%; under the more
precise system of + and – grading, A+ is
98% and above, A is 94% to 97% and A- is 90% to
93%, with the same percentage following accordingly
for B’s and C’s.
In Pakistan, however, the IBCC is applying a different
formula for both grading systems; however, the
dilemma is that the IBCC is deducting marks for
the A+, A grading instead of giving some extra
credit. They are applying almost 15-20% less than
what they apply for a simple A, B, C, grade system.
In the IBCC standard A stands for 85%, B for 75%
and C for 65 % but in sub-classification A+, B+,
IBCC count B for 62.2%, B- 58.5% and C+ 49.5%,
whereas in the USA any grade below 60% is not
passing grade. In this way the IBCC automatically
applies 15 to 20% less for more precise grading
than their own standard, and if this isn’t
enough injustice, the IBCC deducts an additional
10%. So on an overall basis there is a 30% to
36% reduction of grade point average from the
USA marks.
The IBCC has a third formula in which they deduct
20% marks if the school has numerical marks available.
I know a few students who got their equivalence
done on this base, otherwise with the above calculation
it is not possible. Aneeque’s school gave
another official transcript with numerical marks
but the IBCC is not willing to issue a certificate
on numerical marks despite confirming all their
concerns with his high school twice.
Due to this discouraging attitude of the IBCC
Aneeque has lost one year of credit, therefore,
I kindly request that you please direct the IBCC
to take this case seriously to issue an equivalence
certificate based on Aneeque Yasin’s numerical
transcript, without further unnecessary departmental
delay or excuse.
I have come across the same experience with my
daughter’s equivalency procedure. She is
a straight A student and was given below 60% marks.
Due to this she was unable to sit for the entry
exam for medical colleges. There are many other
parents and students who are frustrated and discouraged
at the current situation of our system.
I am not asking any illegal favor, but if you
do not intervene and review the current procedure
in place, Pakistan will lose foreign exchange
education for our children and above all, Pakistanis
will lose confidence in the educational setup
of their homeland.
In my son’s case, he can easily get an admission
in India at the Manipal University; however, I
do not want to send my son through the foreign
exchange program to India, even though their degree
is recognized by WHO, New York and California
states. In India they do not deduct any unnecessary
marks and hence are promoting their education
industry.
The IBCC should verify the authenticity of the
transcript submitted to them and fairly equate
to Pakistani standards instead of brutally cutting
down the marks. Its function should be to encourage
foreign students and to try to issue certificate
in every possible way for each legitimate case,
but on the other hand they are trying not to issue
a certificate by raising any possible objection.
A high school diploma from USA is accepted by
well-known, prestigious universities around the
world without any deduction of marks. I have checked
with India, Malaysia, and China all of whom are
accepting grades as they are. Even students coming
from Pakistan to the USA are getting the same
equivalent grades.
These students are not competing with the local
Pakistani students. Foreign students should be
selected by an institute on merit. Once they study
in Pakistan they have more attachment with Pakistan
and when they come back to the USA they will serve
Pakistan better, both morally and financially
It is high time for the higher authority to intervene
and take a personal interest in this equivalence
system. Young overseas Pakistanis are facing injustice
from this situation and it has to stop if we want
to foster a highly skilled and confident Pakistani
generation.
I am faxing to you for your immediate action Aneeque’s
transcript, the letter from the IBCC to the school,
the school’s reply, and the numerical calculation.
I would like to thank you for your valuable time
for looking into this matter and await your timely
reply. I have listed my email address and fax
number below.
yasin1234@msn.com
Ph# +1,253-205-1699
Fax# +1,253-941-4311
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