What might come as something new is that the Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC), which regulates secondary and higher secondary education in Pakistan, has lately replaced a grading system applicable to matriculation and intermediate standard students. The Sindh government declared the new system in this regard to change the conventional system of evaluating students to do justice to them and give them an accurate measure of their worth. Read on to learn more about this latest phenomenon or program.
New Passing Marks and Grace Marks Policy
Worthy of note under the new system is the rise of passing marks from a thirteen (13%) percent borderline to forty (40) percent. Although this change increases the pressure placed on students, introducing a grace marks policy is somewhat welcoming. Students can now get up to five marks grace, which may be claimed in not more than two subjects. However, should a student fail in a third subject, these grace marks shall not be afforded to the learner.
First, the proposal was made to lift grace marks to 7, but the IBCC meeting counter-proposed this by limiting the grace marks to 5. This equals trying to achieve a reduced load of academic stress while at the same time ensuring that all students are fairly evaluated.
Implementation of a More Coordinated Grading Scheme
A grading system from 2025 onwards will replace the numeric marking pattern. This shift begs for a more balanced look at the student’s performance and is meant to discourage unhealthy rivalry. The new grading system will eliminate conventional positions like first, second, and third position Champions.
Here’s the breakdown of the new grading system:
• 95% and above: A++ (Exceptional)
• 90-94%: A+ (Outstanding)
• 85-89%: A (Excellent)
• 80-84%: B++ (Very Good)
• 75-79%: B+ (Good)
• 70-74%: B (Fairly Good)
• 60-69%: C (Above Average)
• 50-59%: D (Average)
• 40-49%: E (Below Average)
• Below 40%: U (Unsatisfactory)
This new system incorporates grade differentiation to offer a comprehensive performance benchmark that divides the student output into several levels that easily demonstrate their areas of mastery and weakness.
Why This Change Matters
The reform helps create a healthier learning climate by replacing competition with excellence and performance. Here are some benefits of the new grading system:
• Reduced Stress: Removing ranks, which include first, second, third, and the like, is beneficial in helping free the students from the pressure of trying to clinch high ranks.
• Equal Opportunities: It standardizes the assessment system, which is essential to having a standardized system across the country.
• Encouraging Holistic Learning: Students are directed to encompass a wider assessment channel, reducing their primary concern about marks obtained only.
Many questions arise from the abovementioned measures, such as when the changes will be implemented.
The new grading system will be implemented in 2025, hence more preparation time for the institutions. According to the IBCC, this endeavor will replace the haphazard setting of the examinations across the country and make the opportunity of the students of one area equal to that of the others.
Conclusion
Another historical reform of the Pakistani education system is the new grading system in general. Thus, the measures undertaken by the IBCC for fair assessment include raising passing marks, the grace mark, and complete change in the grading system. The ideas behind this system are that, in addressing its goals, students should be provided with a chance to achieve an education system that will be fairer and more balanced to prepare citizens for the global society of the twenty-first century.
Transitioning to this change as we near or enter 2025 will set a new, improved, and far more student-oriented educational environment in Pakistan.
