Class 8 students face exam uncertainty

In an unprecedented decision in the history of Punjab’s education system, students of Class 8 in government schools across the province have been left in a state of uncertainty regarding the holding of split exams and the delay in announcement of the results of board examinations.

PECTA is overseeing the examinations for these four subjects, while the remaining six compulsory and elective subjects will be examined internally by individual schools. Marks from both PECTA-conducted and school-based papers will be consolidated by PECTA.

Any student failing in even one of the four PECTA subjects will be considered to have failed the class and will be required to repeat Class 8. However, students scoring around 30-32 marks out of 33 will be given a “star” and declared pass under a concessionary rule. The system does not provide for supplementary or re-sit examinations.

Under school-based assessment, PECTA will validate 25% of the checked papers through a committee comprising teachers from other schools, appointed by PECTA, to ensure transparency and quality in the assessment process.

Teachers’ organisations have strongly rejected this policy, warning it will lead to a significant increase in student dropouts. Teacher leaders Rana Liaqat, Basharat Iqbal Raja, and Shafiq Bhalowalia argued that private schools have previously boycotted the Class 8 board exams due to similar issues.

They emphasised that female students, who often face difficulties attending school, are particularly at risk of dropping out if failed, while failing male students may leave for workshops. This will likely reduce enrolment in Class 9 across government schools.