In a first, Arts students can now enroll in Pre-Medical, Pre-Engineering programs

Decision taken during Inter Board Coordination Commission meeting participated by chairmen of educational boards

KARACHI:

In a significant move for the country's education sector, the Inter Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) has granted Arts students the opportunity to enroll in science streams, specifically Pre-Medical and Pre-Engineering, after completing their matriculation.

The groundbreaking decision will allow students who complete their matriculation in the Arts group to pursue Inter Pre-Medical or Pre-Engineering programs, similar to the system in place in Cambridge.

The decision was finalized during a recent IBCC meeting held in Karachi, which saw the participation of the chairmen of educational boards from Sindh and across the country.

Following the meeting, the IBCC issued an official notification on Friday, announcing the approval of this crucial development.

Before finalizing the decision, consultations were held with several prominent authorities, including the Pakistan Engineering Council, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, Higher Education Commission, National Curriculum Council, and Provincial Curriculum Authorities.

Their feedback was incorporated into the final decision. This collaborative process led to a unanimous approval by the IBCC forum.

The new regulation aims to simplify the process for students seeking university admissions after completing their intermediate education.

According to the notification, this policy will be effective from the 2026 annual examinations. As a result, relevant educational institutions will need to take measures for admissions, including establishing minimum marks/merit thresholds or conducting aptitude tests to ensure consistency across the board.

However, final decisions regarding the specific requirements for admissions, such as test thresholds or additional assessments, can be determined by the respective educational boards at their board of governors or relevant authority levels.

A copy of the notification has been forwarded to the chairmen of all educational boards across the country.
The reform is expected to open up new academic pathways for Arts students and provide greater flexibility in their pursuit of higher education in medical and engineering fields.