ISLAMABAD: The Inter Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) has made several new decisions, including awarding Science Group equivalence to foreign-board students who have passed at least two science subjects, providing greater flexibility in academic pathways.
Similarly, the forum recommended 12 additional religious seminaries for equivalence of their qualifications with SSC and HSSC, bringing the total number under the equivalence framework to 26.
The IBCC forum also agreed to include B-Form/CNIC numbers on SSC and HSSC certificates, making academic records easier to identify, access and verify.
The forum further decided that IBCC would offer scholarships and overseas exposure opportunities to board toppers, besides arranging Winter and Summer Camps for high-achieving students to provide them with broader learning, leadership and exposure opportunities.
Science group equivalence extended to foreign-board students
These decisions were made during the 184th IBCC Forum meeting, which was held in Murree.
“The two-day IBCC Forum concluded in Murree with a series of important decisions aimed at transforming Pakistan’s examination system from rote learning towards conceptual assessment, while improving transparency, uniformity and international recognition of Pakistani qualifications,” said a press release.
It said the forum brought together chairpersons of Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISEs) from across the country, technical education boards, and senior representatives of curriculum and textbook boards.
According to the press release, National Coordinator IBCC Forum Inayatullah Waseem emphasised the importance of active participation and collective ownership of examination reforms. He said the IBCC Forum provides an important national platform for boards to learn from one another, share successful practices and develop common solutions to challenges faced by the examination system.
He stressed that greater coordination among boards and consistent implementation of agreed reforms were essential for ensuring fairness, quality and public confidence in examinations across the country.
“A major focus of the forum was the implementation of the prime minister’s directives for standardisation of the examination system across the country. The Forum adopted measures for greater uniformity in assessment and examination practices, which will also support the credibility and international recognition of Pakistani qualifications,” the press release said.
It stated that the forum was informed that Sindh examination boards, FBISE, AJK Board, KIU Board, Aga Khan Board and Ziauddin Board had implemented the new grading policy, under which the minimum passing marks had been increased to 40 per cent.
Awareness sessions and workshops will also be organised to facilitate implementation of the Revised Grading Formula across the country.
The forum also recommended 12 additional religious seminaries for equivalence of their qualifications with SSC and HSSC, bringing the total number under the equivalence framework to 26. These seminaries included Wafaqul Madaris Al Arabia, Multan; Tanzeemul Madaris Ahl-i-Sunnat, Lahore; Wafaqul Madaris Al-Salfia, Lahore; Wafaqul Madaris Shia, Lahore; Rabitatul Madaris Al Islamia, Lahore; Jamia Taleemat-i-Islamia, Faisalabad; Jamia Ashrafia, Lahore; Darul Uloom Korangi Creek, Karachi; Jamia Binoria Alamia, Karachi; Jamia Islamia Minhajul Quran, Lahore; and Darul Uloom Mohammadia Ghousia, Bhera, Sargodha.
Meanwhile, the forum further agreed to develop a uniform calendar for theory and practical examinations and formulate common guidelines and procedures for practical examinations to ensure greater consistency, fairness and transparency across examination boards.
During the meeting, BISE Kohat, BISE Quetta and FBISE presented their best practices, innovative initiatives and outcomes for possible adoption and replication by other boards.
Speaking on examination reforms, Executive Director IBCC Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah appreciated the Government of Punjab for the merit-based appointment of chairpersons of examination boards, observing that competent professional leadership was adding value to the IBCC Forum and strengthening the national effort to shift examinations from rote learning to conceptual assessment.
Dr Mallah also appreciated the Government of Sindh and chairpersons of Sindh examination boards for implementing e-marking across the province, terming it an important step towards greater transparency, efficiency and credibility in the examination system.
He emphasised that the reforms being pursued through the IBCC Forum were part of a broader national effort to develop an examination system that tests understanding rather than memory, rewards genuine learning, embraces technology and strengthens the national and international credibility of Pakistani qualifications.
Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2026
