Punjab Education Curriculum and Training Assessment Authority (PECTA) confirms a major policy shift
In a significant move aimed at improving the education assessment system, the Punjab Education Curriculum, Training, and Assessment Authority (PECTA) has officially announced that students of Grade 5 and Grade 8 in Punjab will no longer be required to appear in board exams. Instead, a new system of assessments will be implemented.
This crucial decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Dr. Shehanshah Faisal Azeem, CEO of PECTA. The meeting was attended by key education stakeholders, including the Chairman of Serving Schools Alliance Pakistan, Qazi Naeem Anjum, and other prominent education experts.
Only Assessments, No Board Exams for Classe 5 and 8
During the meeting, Dr. Shehanshah Faisal Azeem clarified that recent rumors regarding board examinations for students of Class 5 and 8 are baseless. He emphasized that these students will only undergo assessments rather than formal board exams.
This policy aims to reduce the academic pressure on younger students while focusing on concept-based learning and skill development.
Demand for SLO-Based Papers at Matric Level
Another key point discussed in the meeting was the implementation of SLO (Student Learning Outcomes) based examination patterns for Matriculation. Qazi Naeem Anjum advocated for the adoption of Bloom’s Taxonomy-based SLOs in paper preparation.
He proposed that Punjab should follow the Federal Board model, where 35% of exam content is based on SLOs. This move is expected to make examinations more analytical and learning-oriented, rather than relying solely on rote memorization.
Upcoming Modern Teachers’ Training Program
In addition to the assessment reforms, PECTA also announced a collaborative initiative with private schools to launch a modern teacher training program. This program aims to enhance the professional development of educators across Punjab, aligning teaching methodologies with international standards.
