Education shake-up in Punjab: Board exams’ schedule for 5th and 8th grade announced

Education shake-up in Punjab: Board exams’ schedule for 5th and 8th grade announced

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September, 16 2025

RAWALPINDI (Web Desk): Government schools will hold board exams for 5th and 8th grade students starting from 2026, marking a major change in the education system.

As per the official schedule, admission forms for the annual exams in Rawalpindi can be submitted between 3 November and 15 November 2025.

The 5th grade exams will begin from 9 February 2026, while the 8th grade exams are set to take place between 16 and 24 February. The results will be announced on 31 March.

Punjab Education Curriculum Training and Assessment Authority (PECTA) has been given the responsibility to conduct these exams. Officials say this step is meant to prepare students for board-style testing before they enter higher classes.

Teachers’ unions have strongly opposed the move, calling it a failed experiment which was tried twice in the past. Leaders Muhammad Shafiq Bhalowalia and Busharat Iqbal Raja warned that exempting private schools would only increase pressure on government school students.

They also raised concerns that failure in 8th grade exams could force many girls, in particular, to drop out of school.

This decision shows the government’s aim to prepare students for tougher exams. But many teachers believe it will add stress instead of benefits. Excluding private schools creates inequality. The biggest fear is that failures may cause many young girls to leave school early. The plan could either improve learning or repeat past mistakes.