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The federal government is actively considering a nationwide project to modernize all educational examination boards by equipping them with advanced digital and assessment technologies, following the successful model of the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE). The proposed initiative aims to ensure transparency, standardization, and credibility in examination systems across Pakistan.
According to official documents, the plan is based on FBISE’s Modernization and Standardization of Examination System, a project launched between 2015 and 2018 at a cost of Rs50 million. Conceived under the leadership of then planning minister Ahsan Iqbal, the project was completed within three years and successfully met all its targets.
Although the previous PML-N government intended to expand this model to provincial boards, the initiative stalled after the 2018 change of government and was formally surrendered in 2019 due to a lack of interest from the provinces.
With Ahsan Iqbal once again heading the Planning Ministry and Dr Ikram Ali Malik, who implemented the earlier project, currently serving as FBISE chairperson, the government has revived plans to modernize all 30 examination boards across the country.
Officials revealed that FBISE has already prepared detailed concept papers for the new project and will soon brief the planning minister. The estimated cost of the initiative is Rs2 billion, reflecting the scale and technological depth of the proposed reforms.
Under the proposed plan, three provincial data centres will be established along with high capacity scanners, modern computer systems, customized examination software, staff training programmes, and ongoing technical support. The project also includes the introduction of artificial intelligence in assessments, verbal communication testing, examiner certification, academic audits, post-exam analysis, and detailed examiner performance reports.
Speaking to the media, FBISE Chairperson Dr Ikram Ali Malik said the board is already providing technical assistance and training to provincial boards, but emphasized that additional resources and manpower are essential for full-scale implementation. He added that the ministries of Planning and Education are working closely with FBISE, and provinces have shown strong interest in adopting modern examination practices.
Recently, State Minister for Federal Education Wajiha Qamar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to technology-driven reforms, stating that digital transformation will help create transparent, credible, and student-centred examination systems across Pakistan.
