The Inter Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) Forum has recommended 12 additional Deeni Madaris for equivalence of their qualifications with Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC), bringing the total number of institutions covered under the equivalence framework to 26.
The forum also approved the inclusion of B-Form and CNIC numbers on SSC and HSSC certificates to facilitate the identification, access and verification of academic records.
In addition, the commission will provide scholarships and overseas exposure opportunities to board position holders and organise winter and summer camps for high-achieving students to enhance their learning, leadership skills and exposure.
The decisions were taken during the 184th IBCC Forum meeting held in Murree.
According to an IBCC press release, the two-day meeting focused on reforming Pakistan’s examination system by shifting from rote learning towards conceptual assessment while improving transparency, uniformity and the international recognition of Pakistani qualifications.
Chairpersons of Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISEs) from across the country, technical education boards, and senior representatives of curriculum and textbook boards attended the meeting.
IBCC Forum National Coordinator Inayatullah Waseem stressed the need for active participation and collective ownership of examination reforms. He said the forum provided a national platform for boards to share successful practices, learn from one another and develop common solutions to challenges confronting the examination system.
He emphasised that stronger coordination among examination boards and consistent implementation of agreed reforms were essential to ensure fairness, quality and public confidence in examinations.
A key focus of the meeting was the implementation of the prime minister’s directives for standardising the examination system nationwide. The forum adopted measures aimed at bringing greater uniformity to assessment and examination practices, which it said would also strengthen the credibility and international recognition of Pakistani qualifications.
The forum was informed that examination boards in Sindh, the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE), the AJK Board, KIU Board, Aga Khan Board and Ziauddin Board had implemented the revised grading policy, under which the minimum passing marks have been raised to 40 per cent.
Awareness sessions and workshops will be held to facilitate the implementation of the revised grading formula across the country.
The forum also agreed to establish a uniform calendar for theory and practical examinations and develop common guidelines and procedures for practical exams to promote consistency, fairness and transparency among examination boards.
During the meeting, BISE Kohat, BISE Quetta and FBISE presented their best practices, innovative initiatives and outcomes for consideration by other boards.
IBCC Executive Director Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah praised the Punjab government for appointing examination board chairpersons on merit, saying professional leadership was strengthening the IBCC Forum and contributing to efforts to move examinations away from rote learning towards conceptual assessment.
Dr Mallah also appreciated the Sindh government and provincial examination board chairpersons for implementing e-marking across the province, describing the initiative as an important step towards improving transparency, efficiency and credibility in examinations.
He said the reforms being pursued through the IBCC Forum were part of a broader national effort to establish an examination system that assesses understanding rather than memorisation, rewards genuine learning, embraces technology and enhances the national and international credibility of Pakistani qualifications.
