Sindh to have uniform exam standards

Framework will ensure transparency in assessments

KARACHI:

The Sindh government has introduced a uniform examination standard for all boards in the province. Under the new framework, exams for key subjects like English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology will now be conducted based on a unified syllabus.

Provincial Minister for Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah hailed this move as a historic reform in the education system. He emphasised that the new policy would enhance transparency, reduce disparities between examination boards, and ensure a fairer evaluation of students' abilities.

The implementation follows the approval of the Uniform Examination Syllabus (UES) by the School Education Department, which has issued a formal No Objection Certificate (NOC). Initially, the UES will apply to Grades IX and X, after careful review by the Directorate of Curriculum, Assessment and Research (DCAR), Sindh. Examinations will now be aligned with the Table of Specifications (ToS), marking a departure from strict adherence to textbooks.

Minister Shah explained that exams would focus on assessing critical thinking, application of knowledge, and understanding, moving away from rote memorisation. This, he said, will provide a more accurate reflection of students' learning abilities and improve the quality of education in Sindh.

The new system, according to the minister, will eliminate the perception that some boards are easier or more difficult than others by ensuring that all boards across the province follow the same examination framework. Shah further stated that, along with examination reforms, efforts are underway to enhance teacher training and focus on Student Learning Outcomes to ensure the effectiveness of these changes.