9th-Grade Student Challenges Peshawar Board Over Zero Marks in Biology

PESHAWAR: A ninth-grade student has approached the Peshawar High Court after receiving zero marks in the theory portion of his Biology examination despite performing well in other parts of the subject.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Babar Sattar heard a petition filed by student Abdul Moez Khan, challenging the marks awarded by the Peshawar Board.

During the hearing, the court directed the Controller of Examinations, Peshawar Board, to produce the student’s Biology answer sheet at the next hearing.

According to the student’s lawyer, Aminur Rehman Yousafzai, Abdul Moez secured an A1 grade in his ninth-grade examinations. He reportedly obtained 23 out of 25 marks in the Biology multiple-choice questions and practical examination but was awarded zero marks in the theory paper.

The lawyer said the student later applied for rechecking and requested permission to inspect his answer sheet. However, the board reportedly informed him that rules for showing examination papers to candidates had not yet been formulated for the current year.

The lawyer argued that students at institutions such as the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) are allowed to review their evaluated papers. The court also observed that similar practices are followed in other countries.

The petitioner’s lawyer requested the court to summon the answer sheet so the judges could examine it themselves.

The court accepted the request and ordered the Controller of Examinations to produce Abdul Moez Khan’s Biology answer sheet at the next hearing.

The case has drawn attention to examination transparency and students’ access to their evaluated answer sheets.