Karachi, Oct 3: The Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) announced the results of Commerce Part-II (Regular and Private) annual examinations-2009 on Friday. Seventy colleges yielded less than 30 per cent results, while seven colleges produced no results, revealed BIEK Chairman Anwar Ahmed Zai, adding that serious action would be taken against these colleges and a notification has been issued to this effect.

BIEK has announced Rs500 per month scholarship for the top 20 students for the next two years at a ceremony held by the board in honour of the position holders. Zai said that the number of commerce students has increased manifold, and that private institutes were producing better results as compared to public sector colleges. He said that the mark-sheets of candidates will be issued to their respective institutions within two weeks time.

According to the results issued, candidates of private institutes bagged all top positions. Most of the private group candidates appeared in combined papers. The first position in private group was clinched by Amna Mazhar, a young working woman, who obtained 815 out of 1100 marks (74.09 per cent). NCR College of Emerging Technologies Director Deshmukh announced a Rs20,000 cash award for Mazhar, while Syed Khalid Shah of All Private Schools Management Association (Sindh) announced a prize of Rs10,000 on behalf of his association.

Anum Fatima bagged second position with 812 marks (73.82 per cent), while the third position went to Sana Ali with 801 marks (72.82 per cent).

As per the result, 10,185 out of 10,590 registered male candidates took up the exams and 3,945 candidates were declared successful, with an overall pass percentage of 38.73. Among 2,489 registered female candidates, 2,413 appeared in the exams and 770 candidates cleared all papers, with a pass percentage of 31.91.

The results of 37 students have been withheld for using unfair means, while the results of 13 candidates have been withheld for want of correct information or necessary documents.

None of the candidates could obtain Grade A-One, and only 14 candidates – eight male and six female – secured Grade A. As many as 359 male and 107 female candidates secured Grade B; 1,584 male and 348 female candidates received Grade C. Further, 1,905 male and 292 female candidates received Grade D, while 83 male and 15 female candidates were placed in Grade E. Six male and two female candidates in private group cleared the examination without any grade.

Last year, 11,252 candidates had appeared in the said examinations in the private group, of whom 4,709 candidates passed the exams with the pass percentage of 41.85.

In the regular group, 18,291 out of 18,568 registered male students appeared in the exams and 7,616 candidates cleared all papers, putting the overall pass percentage at 41.64. Among 11,824 registered female candidates, 11,690 appeared in the exams, 6,901 passed the exam, putting the overall pass percentage at 59.03.

Fourteen cases of unfair means were reported during the exams and the results of three students have been withheld for want of correct information.

Hira Alavi of DHA Degree College for Women, Phase-VIII, clinched overall first position by obtaining 912 out of total 1100 marks (82.91 per cent), Sania Aftab Bhuvad of Commecs Institute of Business and Emerging Sciences bagged second position with 907 marks (82.45 per cent), while third position was shared by Mohammad Hunain of NCR College of Emerging Technologies and Saniya Siddiqui of Commecs Institute of Business and Emerging Sciences. Both secured 898 marks (81.64 per cent).

As many as 15 male and 13 female candidates bagged Grade A-One; 441 male and 588 female candidates secured Grade A; 1,417 male and 2,018 female candidates obtained Grade B. Further, 2,878 male and 2791 female candidates secured Grade C; 2,737 male and 1,462 female candidates got Grade D, while 128 male and 29 female candidates were placed in Grade E.

Owing to some family problems, I could not go to college, and that’s why I preferred to appear as a private candidate. I have been working in a private firm for the past two years to support my family, and it was my tutor who encouraged me and maintained his belief in me to appear in the exams. I am interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. – Amna Mazhar, first position (private)

My father is a banker and I am very inspired by him. I never took tuitions, but I do think that there is a dire need to improve course syllabi.- Hira Alavi, first position (regular).