The undefined syllabus of BPSC for Social Welfare Officers posts
By
Dr. M. Rahim Nasar
Balochistan Public Service Commission has recently announced a huge number of posts of the social welfare officer; which is indeed a great news and hope for the long awaiting youth of the province. The aspirants would test their fate in the exam. The BPSC has made only those students eligible for these positions who have their masters or BS degree in sociology and social work. The commission in this regard shared syllabus for the single paper exam some days ago. Surprisingly, while going through the contents of the syllabus I literally shocked. It is undoubtedly very vast and carelessly much undefined in terms of topics. It is astonishing that what criteria has been put forward to design the syllabus. Apparently the topics are very short and objective; however, each topic is a complete subject in itself. I don’t think this syllabus could be easy even for a professor to cover entirely in a number of months, so, how could a just graduated student be able to prepare. It is very much unfair with the students. The syllabus is extraordinarily vague and much inclusive.
As mentioned the contents in the syllabus are very much undefined and general. Usually for the competitive exams whether federal or provincial public service commission the candidates are shared with fairly defined and clear syllabus so that they may not confused while preparing for exams. But in this case all candidates are panic and finding no way that how to prepare and what to prepare. The students have been left in a horrific tunnel seeing no ray of light till far. Or like in a dense forest around finding no way to come out. As far the exam criteria across the globe and in country the candidates are usually assessed through their critical and rational capabilities rather than overburdened. The extra-large syllabus doesn’t bring a good fame and name for the commission, however, could raise questions on the competence of the commission.
The issued syllabus has been apportioned in two parts, where 40 marks out of 100 have been allocated for English essay and comprehension, and rest 60 marks for sociology, social work and other topics. While knowing these facts the syllabus includes nine topics in the second part, and each topic is a complete subject in its domain. Like Principles of Sociology as a single topic in the syllabus is a major and very extensive subject carrying countless sub-topics and themes in its circle. Similarly, Contemporary Sociological Theories, is an exclusive and major course at the master and BS level as suggested and designed by HEC for the entire universities of Pakistan irrespectively. The subject embodying a number of contents and theories in itself. Additionally, Introduction to Social Work is also a robust subject accommodating a number of topics and themes in its field. Moreover, Pakistani society and culture, Social problems of Pakistan, Introduction to organization management, Social welfare in Pakistan are exclusive and very vast subjects in their domains each are the part of syllabus. The prescribed syllabus is not confined to these subjects merely, however, accumulate much more in its lap. It will take much space to explain the vigorous subject matter of each contents/subject mentioned in the commission’s syllabus.
Interestingly or terribly the syllabus includes the topics which in no way relevant or aligned with the nature of the posts, have been accommodated in the second part of the syllabus besides the above mentioned contents/subjects; what an illogical and irrational. This temperament resultantly leads mocking impression to the candidates in particular and to the society in general. In this context the subject like Introduction to International Relations, Human Rights and Gender Studies have been embodied in the syllabus. Though these are irrelevant contents on one side and on the other side these topics are exclusive subjects consisting of numerous sub-topics and stuff. Ironically, the subject like International Relations is quite unknown and irrelevant to the students of sociology and social work. Nor this subject has been taught and neither it has any relevancy with the position for whom the candidates have applied. In other words, it can be said that this subject is unnecessarily inducted for having no logic to justification. Arguably, if this subject is relevant to the posts announced than why candidates having background or degree from IR have not been allowed to apply for these positions. In short, the syllabus consists a number of flaws, and literally I could not understand that how poorly this syllabus has been designed.
While analyzing the narration above it can be said that the set syllabus in very vague and certainly infinite in its sphere. It has created mess and ambiguity among the students. Even it is more extensive than the syllabuses of PCS and CSS exams. In these exams each subject included in this syllabus carries 100 marks but over here nine exclusive subjects have been included bearing only 60 marks in total; very much unfair. Thus, in this context it is suggested to BPSC to kindly revisit the issued syllabus and clearly define the contents and come up with clear topics and contents, so that the candidates may prepare passionately.
Of course sir. You are right in this regard.