The Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) forum announced that examination boards in Sindh, the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Board, Kohat International University (KIU) Board, Aga Khan Board, and Ziauddin Board have adopted a new grading policy, increasing the passing threshold to 40%.
The two-day IBCC forum meeting, held in Murree and concluded on Saturday, focused on harmonizing examination standards nationwide. Key decisions included shifting evaluation methods from rote memorization to conceptual understanding, enhancing transparency in student records, and boosting the recognition of Pakistani qualifications both domestically and internationally.
In a significant development to improve the accuracy and accessibility of academic records, the forum agreed to incorporate B-Form or CNIC numbers on Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) documents. This measure aims to simplify the identification, verification, and retrieval of student records.
Additionally, the forum approved scholarship programs and international exposure opportunities for top-performing students. It endorsed initiatives to unify assessment and examination procedures across boards, thereby strengthening the credibility of Pakistani educational credentials.
To further support high achievers, the IBCC plans to organize winter and summer camps designed to provide broader learning experiences, leadership training, and exposure to diverse academic environments.
The forum also recommended granting equivalence to 12 additional Deeni Madaris, increasing the total number of religious institutions recognized under the SSC and HSSC equivalence framework to 26. Moreover, it agreed that students from foreign examination boards who have passed at least two science subjects will be eligible for Science Group equivalence, offering more flexible academic pathways.
Reaffirming its commitment to enhanced collaboration, the forum emphasized stronger coordination among examination, technical, curriculum, and textbook boards. The goal is to develop a transparent, technology-driven, student-centric, and internationally comparable assessment system.
During the meeting, BISE Kohat, BISE Quetta, and FBISE shared their best practices and innovative initiatives, which may be adopted by other boards to improve overall standards.
IBCC Forum National Coordinator Inayatullah Waseem urged active participation and collective responsibility in examination reforms. He highlighted that consistent implementation of agreed measures and improved coordination among boards are crucial for ensuring fairness, quality, and public trust in the examination system.
