Following a meeting of inter-provincial education ministers on Wednesday, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said that board examinations for grades 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th will be held across Pakistan after July 10.
“In this approach, class 9 and 10 tests would be held first,” Mahmood said during a press briefing in Islamabad.
“Today, it was agreed that students in grades 9 and 10 will only be tested in optional courses and mathematics… that is, just four topics from classes 9 and 10 would be tested. “Only optional topics will be tested for students in grades 11 and 12,” he stated.
During today’s news conference, Mahmood also stated that the topic of course non-completion was also covered during the discussion. “A few months ago, we lowered the curriculum by 40% to make it simpler for instructors and students to study for the exams,” he continued.
He stated that owing to the Covid-19 epidemic, all decisions were made unanimously by the ministers of education of all provinces so that they could be implemented quickly, and that the decision about the tests was likewise made with unanimity.
“This year, we have unanimously determined that no one will be promoted without completing tests,” he continued.
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The decision will not be reviewed, according to the education minister. “Students should study [for the examinations]… we have previously been very liberal with valid student demands… this (the decision) affects our children’s future and education,” he continued.
According to him, the government has instructed the board to leave adequate pauses between the examinations so that students may prepare as thoroughly as possible. “Grade 10 and 12 classes are now in session. We have decided to create schools and colleges for children in grades 9 and 11 so that they can continue their education” he said
