Punjab Introduces Board Exams for Class 5 & 8 Under PECTA

In a major shift toward standardized education, the Punjab education authorities have announced that the annual examinations for Class 5 and Class 8 will now be conducted under the Punjab Education Curriculum Training and Assessment (PECTA). The decision aims to ensure uniform assessment and transparency across all schools in the province.

This move marks the official transfer of exam responsibilities from individual schools to a centralized board system, designed to promote fairness and improve the quality of evaluation.

According to the official schedule, registration will be held from November 3 to 15, 2025, while exams will begin on February 9, 2026, for Class 5, and February 16, 2026, for Class 8. The results will be declared on March 31, 2026.

“This initiative will help maintain consistent academic standards and better prepare students for higher classes,” said a PECTA spokesperson.

Education experts have welcomed the reform, noting that a board-based system reduces discrepancies in grading and strengthens accountability in public and private schools alike. The change also supports Punjab’s broader education policy aimed at improving learning outcomes and assessment reliability across districts.