Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir: What was announced as a step toward modernization has turned into one of the biggest academic setbacks in Azad Jammu & Kashmir’s recent history. The Mirpur Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education’s first-ever experiment with e-marking has left thousands of students devastated — with top performers unexpectedly failing and overall results plunging to record lows.
This year, the board introduced digital paper checking (e-marking) for FA and FSc Part-I exams, branding it a “technological milestone.” However, the results have painted a very different picture — one of confusion, alleged negligence, and shattered confidence.
Unprecedented Failures
According to multiple parents and students, results were delayed for weeks, and when released, scores were alarmingly low compared to previous years. Dozens of top-rank students who consistently performed well in school have now been marked as “supplementary,” leaving families in shock.
“My daughter was always among the top five students,” said Farzana Khan, a parent from Mirpur. “Now she’s been marked failed in two subjects she excelled at. We are not against technology, but it must be used responsibly.”
Technical Flaws and Poor Preparation
Teachers and educationists claim that no proper training or pilot phase was conducted before implementing the e-marking system.
“The marking software was not tested thoroughly,” said Professor Naveed Ahmed, a lecturer at a local college. “Many examiners were unfamiliar with the digital interface. In some cases, scanned answer sheets were misaligned or missing pages.”
Several teachers also pointed out discrepancies in marks awarded and raised questions about the credibility of the scanning and grading process.
Comparisons with Pakistani Board
While Pakistan’s Federal Board has successfully adopted e-marking with improved transparency, Mirpur Board’s execution has drawn widespread criticism. Education analysts note that Mirpur’s version lacked the technical supervision, quality checks, and examiner training that made the federal model successful.
Widespread Protests
Following the announcement of results, students across Mirpur and surrounding areas took to the streets, demanding justice and transparency. Placards reading “Fix Our Future” and “Audit the E-Marking System” were seen outside the board’s regional offices.
“We worked day and night. This isn’t just about marks — it’s about our future,” said Usman Rafiq, an FSc student from Kotli. “The board must take responsibility for this disaster.”
Demands for Accountability
Students and parents have collectively called for:
An independent audit of the e-marking process.
Re-checking of all papers with unusually low marks.
Suspension of future e-marking implementations until full training and system stability are ensured.
Education activists argue that transparency, accountability, and student welfare must define any education reform — not haste and experimentation.
While digital transformation in education is inevitable, its success depends on competence and compassion. The Mirpur Board’s first digital experiment stands as a reminder that technology without preparation can destroy more than it builds.
“Students are not data points,” said one education expert. “Their lives cannot be beta tests for unready systems.”
The Azadi Times reached out to the Chairman and Controller of Examinations at Mirpur Board for comment, but no official statement was received at the time of publication.