PHC Seeks Answer Sheet After Student Gets Zero in Biology Exam
PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has ordered the Controller of Examinations of the Peshawar Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education to produce the original Biology answer sheet of a ninth-grade student who was awarded zero marks in the theory portion of the subject. The unusual result has been challenged in court after the student performed strongly in his other subjects and also secured high marks in the objective and practical components of Biology.
The petition was filed by ninth-grade student Abdul Moeez, who questioned the result issued by Peshawar BISE for his Biology-I theory examination. A two-member bench comprising Senior Puisne Judge Ijaz Anwar and Justice Babar Sattar heard the matter and directed the examination authority to bring the original marked answer script before the court at the next hearing.
The student's lawyers told the bench that he had achieved an A+ grade in his other subjects and had obtained around 90 per cent marks across much of his examination record. They argued that the award of zero in the Biology theory paper appeared inconsistent with his overall academic performance, particularly because he had secured 23 out of 25 marks in the multiple-choice and practical portions of the same subject.
According to arguments presented before the court, the student initially approached the education board for rechecking and also sought permission to inspect the marked answer sheet. The board, however, informed him that rules had not been framed allowing candidates to personally examine their evaluated scripts. The dispute subsequently reached the high court, where the student sought judicial intervention to establish what had happened to his theory paper.
During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel referred to examination practices at other educational institutions where students can inspect evaluated papers. Justice Anwar also observed that candidates are allowed to review examination papers under systems followed in some other countries, bringing wider attention to questions about transparency in the handling of board examinations and result disputes.
The student's legal team also raised the possibility that the Biology answer sheet may have been misplaced, although no determination has yet been made regarding the reason for the zero marks. The court has not reached a conclusion on whether an evaluation error, administrative problem or another issue caused the disputed result. Producing the original answer script is therefore expected to be central to determining what happened.
The case has broader significance for thousands of students who appear in secondary-school board examinations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa each year. Examination results can directly affect admissions, subject choices and future academic opportunities, making accurate marking and an effective review process important for both students and education authorities. The dispute may also renew discussion about whether students should have greater access to evaluated answer sheets when they challenge unexpected results.
The Peshawar BISE controller has now been directed to present the student's original Biology answer sheet when the case returns to court on August 25. The bench is expected to examine the document before considering the next stage of the petition. Until then, the student's disputed zero remains under judicial scrutiny, with the original examination record likely to determine whether further directions to the education board are required.