Punjab Replaces Grade 5 and 8 Board Exams with Progressive Assessments

Lahore: The Punjab Education Curriculum Training and Assessment Authority (PECTA) has announced the cancellation of board exams for grades 5 and 8 for the current academic year. Instead of traditional exams, student assessments will be conducted.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by PECTA CEO Dr. Shahenshah Faisal Azeem, and it aims to alleviate exam-related stress while encouraging a conceptual, understanding-based approach to learning.

The officials stated that modern assessment standards support ongoing evaluation instead of testing based on single-time, high-stress examinations. This initiative represents a wider strategy to move past conventional testing approaches toward innovative assessment methods.

In a related development, the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) made an announcement that Class 8 students must complete their board exams at specific examination centers beginning from the upcoming academic year. The new approach differs from past practices by shifting student exams outside individual school boundaries.

This updated system safeguards consistency and clearness in the testing procedure between all educational facilities throughout Punjab. The examination process will receive external oversight from invigilators who include both teachers from different schools and PSEB officials to maintain fairness. Additionally, answer sheets will be evaluated by educators from various institutions to maintain unbiased grading.

The cancellation of board exams for Grade 5 and 8, along with the introduction of new Class 8 board exams starting next year, marks a significant shift in Punjab’s education system.