The Punjab government on Saturday decided to restore board examinations for eighth grade students across the province.
The decision was announced following a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Punjab Assessment and Examination Commission (PACTA), chaired by Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat.
The meeting deliberated on the structure of assessment and examination from classes five to eight and resolved to initiate wide-ranging reforms in internal testing mechanisms.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Education Minister confirmed that board examinations for grade eight would resume under the supervision of PACTA.
“I am restoring the board exams for eighth grade to ensure a standardised evaluation process and to monitor learning outcomes across Punjab,” said Rana Sikandar.
The minister also directed the concerned authorities to strengthen the internal assessment system for classes five through seven. He emphasised that these exams should be conducted as structured assessment tests rather than conventional examinations, aiming to evaluate both students’ learning levels and teachers’ performance.
“An internal assessment framework will be formulated within one month, ensuring transparency and effectiveness. This system will serve as a diagnostic tool to identify gaps in student learning and teaching methodology,” he said.
