Entry test delayed over separation of girls, boys classes

KABUL (Pajhwok): High school graduates want the university entry test, which has already been delayed by about three months, to be organised as early as possible. Officials, however, say the fate of the exams will be determined soon.

This year, the Ministry of Higher Education has not yet announced schedule for the entry test, with tens of thousands of candidates ready to sit the exams.

Nahid, a graduate from Qabulbay High School, told Pajhwok Afghan News she passed her 12^th grade exam a year ago and had since been looking forward to the entry test.

She said: “I’m prepared for the entry test but after the delay I have lost my hope because some say girls will not be given the chance to participate the exams.”

Nahid hoped the MoHE would soon unveil schedule for the entry test.

Hussain Ahmad, a high school graduate from the Koh-i-Safi district of Parwan province, said the entry test had been delayed beyond their expectations. He urged the government to hold the test at the earliest possible.

Nawroz, hailing from the Kolingar district of Logar province, also asked the ministry concerned to hold the entry test as soon as it could.

An employee of the National Examination Authority of Afghanistan (NEXA), who did not want to be named, claimed they were fully prepared to conduct the entry test.

The source said the authority was waiting for guidance from MoHE. He asked the ministry to share its plan and the capacity of each university so that they could make the required arrangements.

According to him, the authority has suggested several times the conduct of the entry test.

He revealed a committee was working on the issue at the ministry and the entry test would be conducted after guidance from this body.

But Latfullah Khairkhwa, deputy minister of higher education, told Pajhwok the entrance exam had been delayed due to assessments of the capacity of separate classes for girls and boys.

He added the students’ affairs department was working on the issue. Khairkhwa, however, did not give a specific timeframe for the examination. He suggested it might be announced in coming days.