Punjab Brings Back Grade 8 Board Exams in All Schools

The Punjab government has officially decided to restart board exams for 8th-grade students in all schools across the province. This decision is part of a broader effort to improve the quality of education and keep better track of student progress.

According to a report by a private news channel, this important announcement was made by Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat during a recent meeting of the Punjab Education Curriculum Training and Assessment Authority (PECTA) Board of Governors.

The minister clearly stated that PECTA will now be responsible for conducting the board exams for Grade 8. To make this happen, the department has been given a strict deadline of 30 days to create a complete action plan for the exams. This plan will include details about how the exams will be designed, conducted, and monitored to ensure fairness and accuracy.

In addition to Grade 8 board exams, internal assessment tests will be introduced for students from Class 5 to Class 7. These tests will help schools regularly measure how well students are learning and will also be used to evaluate teachers’ performance.

Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has directed education officials to develop a clear and transparent system for these internal assessments. The system must be ready within a month. The goal is to create a fair process that helps identify both strong and weak areas in teaching and learning.

To promote digital learning, the education minister revealed that the government is planning to convert textbooks for Grades 9 and 11 (Matric Tech stream) into video lessons. This step is being taken to make learning more engaging and accessible, especially for students who may not have access to quality teachers or learning materials.

An Academic Committee for Online Tech Education has been formed to make sure the quality of these educational videos meets a high standard. These video lessons will be made available online and possibly on USB drives or TV broadcasts for areas with limited internet access.

Another major focus of the education department is to reduce dropout rates, especially in middle school. The minister said that many students leave school after primary classes, and this trend needs to be stopped. Steps will be taken to encourage students to stay in school and continue their studies.

Moreover, teacher training programs will be improved. The government will review teachers’ past performances and provide updated training based on modern teaching methods and student needs. This move is expected to help teachers become more effective in the classroom.

In Summary:

• Grade 8 board exams are being reinstated and will be conducted by PECTA.
• Internal assessments for Classes 5 to 7 will be introduced.
• Textbooks for Grades 9 and 11 will be turned into digital video content.
• Textbooks must be delivered on time, with no delays.
• Dropout rates will be reduced, and teacher training will be improved.

These changes show the Punjab government’s strong commitment to upgrading the education system and ensuring students receive better learning opportunities across the province.

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