LAHORE (Kashmir English): Students in the fifth grade in Punjab will not be required to take a formal board examination this year. The government has decided to postpone the formal fifth-grade examination and has instead announced that an assessment will be conducted this year through PECTA (Punjab Examination Commission/Testing Authority).
According to Punjab’s Minister for Education, Rana Sikandar Hayat, fifth-grade students will undergo an assessment this year, while a formal examination system will be implemented starting next year. The objective of this decision is to reduce the pressure of examinations on students and to introduce the examination system in a phased manner.
Rana Sikandar Hayat stated that the assessment of fifth-grade students will be conducted transparently and fairly to ensure an accurate evaluation of the children’s academic capabilities.
Meanwhile, examinations for the eighth grade will proceed according to the existing procedure; however, modern methods will be adopted for their administration and evaluation.
The Education Minister noted that examinations for four major subjects in the eighth grade will be conducted using special ‘e-sheets.’ Furthermore, to enhance transparency in the results and improve the evaluation process, on-screen marking of answer scripts will be implemented.
These changes to the examination system are being introduced by the Government of Punjab with careful consideration for the academic needs and convenience of the students.
By postponing the fifth-grade examination, students will be spared the additional pressure of preparing for a formal board exam this year, whereas eighth-grade students will take their examinations under the previously established system.
