Private schools sweep matric accolades
The Rawalpindi Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) on Wednesday announced the position holders for the Secondary School Certificate (Matriculation) Annual Examinations 2026, with students from private educational institutions securing all top positions across the board.
The results revealed a disappointing performance by government schools, as not a single student from the public sector succeeded in securing an overall top position. The outcome has once again highlighted the widening academic gap between public and private educational institutions.
Overall, Muhammad Manan topped the Rawalpindi Board by securing 1,191 marks, while Zuneira Tahira stood second with 1,180 marks and Muhammad Faseeh claimed third position with 1,178 marks.
In the Science Group (Girls), Zuneira Tahira secured first position with 1,180 marks. Four students - Hafsa Azhar, Hareem Fatima, Meerab Hassan and Zainab Fatima - jointly secured second position with 1,176 marks, while Iman Tahir, Musfarah Khalid and Arsa Hameed shared third position with 1,174 marks.
In the Science Group (Boys), Muhammad Manan remained first, followed by Muhammad Faseeh with 1,178 marks and Syed Muhammad Imran Bukhari with 1,175 marks.
In the General Group (Girls), Sohana Qadeer secured first position with 1,122 marks, Malaika Habib came second with 1,115 marks, while Nazia Bibi finished third with 1,103 marks.
In the General Group (Boys), Abdul Islam stood first with 1,077 marks, followed by Muhammad Ali with 1,048 marks and Abdul Ghaffar with 1,044 marks.
Punjab Teachers Union president Sufi Ramzan Inqalabi, Teachers Pensioners Association secretary Shafiq Bhalwalia and Educators Education president Basharat Iqbal Raja claimed that public schools were being deliberately portrayed as underperforming to facilitate their inclusion in the fourth and fifth phases of the Punjab government's privatisation programme.
The board is scheduled to announce the complete Matriculation results at a ceremony today (Thursday) at 10.30am at Fatima Jinnah Women University. Federal Minister for Education Hanif Abbasi will attend as the chief guest.
Rawalpindi BISE Chairman Professor Dr Iqbal Mehmood congratulated the position holders, describing their achievement as a reflection of hard work, perseverance and the guidance of their teachers and parents.
Shields, certificates and cash prizes will be presented to the position holders in recognition of their exceptional performance.