Punjab Reintroduces Grade 8 Board Exams and Launches Major Education Reforms
Key Takeaways:
- Grade 8 board exams reinstated under PECTA’s supervision.
- Internal assessments to be introduced for Grades 5 to 7.
- Digital video versions of Matric Tech textbooks (Grades 9 & 11) to be developed.
- Strict deadlines for printing and delivering textbooks.
- Focus on reducing dropouts and improving teacher training programs.
In a significant policy shift aimed at improving educational standards, the Punjab government has officially reinstated board examinations for Grade 8 students across the province. The decision was announced by Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat during a high-level meeting of the Punjab Education Curriculum and Assessment Authority (PECTA) Board of Governors held earlier this week.
Grade 8 Board Exams to Resume Province-Wide
According to official sources, PECTA has been directed to take responsibility for organizing and conducting the Grade 8 board examinations. Minister Hayat emphasized the importance of restoring academic accountability at the middle school level. He instructed that a detailed action plan for implementing these exams be finalized within 30 days.
This move marks a return to a structured evaluation system for middle school students, which had previously been discontinued in favor of internal school-based assessments. The reinstatement is part of a broader strategy to standardize educational benchmarks across public schools in Punjab.
Internal Assessments for Grades 5 to 7
In addition to the reintroduction of Grade 8 exams, the minister ordered the development of a comprehensive internal assessment system for students from Grades 5 to 7. These assessments will be used to evaluate both student learning outcomes and teacher performance.
A transparent framework is expected to be developed and implemented within one month. The initiative is aimed at enhancing academic monitoring and identifying performance gaps early in the learning process.
Digital Transformation in Secondary Education
Another key announcement from the meeting involved the digitalization of textbooks for Grades 9 and 11, particularly for students enrolled in Matric Tech (technical education) streams. Minister Hayat revealed that the government plans to convert these books into video learning content, making them more accessible and engaging for students.
To ensure quality and accuracy, the Academic Committee for Online Tech Education has been assigned the responsibility of overseeing the video production process. The initiative is part of Punjab’s broader digital learning agenda, which includes expanding online education tools for secondary students.
Timely Textbook Delivery and Teacher Training Prioritized
Minister Hayat also issued firm directives regarding the printing and timely distribution of textbooks for the upcoming academic session. He made it clear that any delays in textbook delivery would not be tolerated, urging relevant departments to complete procurement and logistics well in advance.
Furthermore, the education minister stressed the need to reduce dropout rates at the middle school level, particularly among girls and students in rural areas. He emphasized strengthening teacher training programs, making them performance-based and data-driven.
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