KARACHI: “The introduction of Practical Bases Assessment (PBA) education system based on alternative to practical at SSC and HSSC levels is a great achievement that would have done about 50 years ago”.

Dr. Asim Hussain, Chancellor of Ziauddin University said this while addressing a media briefing to share updates and insights about the latest developments at the Ziauddin University Examination Board (ZUEB).

 He said; Ziauddin University Examination Board (ZUEB) had presented many proposals out of which three were approved by the IBCC. We are the first Board in Pakistan who has adopted this system.

Earlier, he displayed a letter issued by the federal government on the subject dated 23rd October 2023, informing that the matter was placed before the IBCC (Inter-Board Coordination Commission) Forum in its meeting held at Muzafarabad, AJK and the forum resolved that the examination boards may shift to Practical Based Assessment (PBA) usually known as Alternative to Practical (ATP) model.  Under this system the Government has announced a new grading formula for all examination Boards of the country that would be implemented from the year 2025 exams.

Under this system the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen has unanimously approved to discontinue reflecting the marks obtained on the transcripts and certificates of SSC and HSSC. Instead, the assessment will be recorded in the form of grades, GPA & CGPA to stop unhealthy race among students, parents and Institutions for obtaining maximum marks. This is also intended to safeguard the students from psychological pressure of society.

 The new grading scheme is based on 10 point scales and shall be implemented completely by all the examination boards of the country by the year 2025. Hence, all the public and private sector universities are directed to make necessary arrangements for evaluating merit for admission in the light of approved grading formula of IBCC.

Dr. Asim Hussain elaborating the history said before 1917 there was no concept of matriculation. It was after that when a commission was formed and the rules for matric, inter and graduation were decided at university level. In the era of Ayub Khan there was Sharif Commission formed and it had withdrawn the university authorities by establishing independent Boards. This decision had decentralized the education system by reaching matriculation up to 14 years instead of 16 years that was objected the world over.     

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 15 2023

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