Punjab Government Decides to Restore Grade 8 Board Exams

Lahore: In a significant move towards educational reform, the Government of Punjab has decided to reinstate board examinations for Grade 8 across the province. The decision was taken during a key meeting of the PECTA (Punjab Examination Commission and Testing Authority) Board of Governors, chaired by Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat.
According to the official report, the meeting focused on various educational reforms, with the restoration of Grade 8 board exams being the centerpiece. Speaking during the session, Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat stated that board examinations for Grade 8 will resume, while exams for Grades 5, 6, and 7 will be conducted as internal assessment tests.
The minister instructed relevant authorities to develop a comprehensive framework for internal assessments within 30 days. Additionally, the meeting resolved to enhance the internal examination system for Grades 5 to 7 to make it more effective and reliable.
Rana Sikandar Hayat emphasized that the Grade 8 examinations will be conducted by PECTA and that a clear plan of action should be formulated within a month.
It is noteworthy that board exams for Grade 8 in Punjab were abolished five years ago. The recent decision marks a major shift in the province’s education policy aimed at improving academic standards and accountability.