The Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) has called for more affordable international examination fees and expanded testing facilities across Pakistan, saying greater competition among examination delivery partners could reduce the financial burden on students seeking international qualifications.
The call was made by IBCC Executive Director Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah during his visit to the Karachi office of International Testing Alliance (ITA) on November 14, where he reviewed the organisation’s examination delivery operations, assessment facilities and security arrangements.
During the visit, Dr Mallah received a briefing on ITA’s operational framework, examination management system, candidate facilitation services and procedures for the secure handling and storage of confidential examination materials. He also inspected the examination facilities and security arrangements.
Appreciating ITA’s cost-effective examination delivery model, the IBCC executive director said healthy competition among examination service providers could encourage lower fees, better service quality and wider access to international examinations.
He also emphasised the need to expand examination facilities beyond major cities, noting that students often face additional travel expenses and inconvenience when they have to travel long distances to sit international examinations.
However, Dr Mallah stressed that reducing examination costs must never compromise the integrity, confidentiality, security or credibility of the assessment process. He urged ITA to maintain strict security protocols, transparent procedures and internationally recognised quality standards throughout examination delivery.
The visit comes amid IBCC’s efforts to strengthen the regulation and standardisation of foreign qualification examinations in Pakistan. Under its framework for exam delivery partners, the commission oversees requirements relating to organisational credentials, secure examination infrastructure, quality assurance, data protection and examination integrity.
Dr Mallah reiterated that IBCC would continue encouraging a competitive, transparent and student-friendly examination environment while ensuring that all examination delivery partners remain accountable and maintain high standards of quality assurance.
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His remarks highlight the importance of making international qualifications more accessible to Pakistani students without compromising the reliability and credibility of examinations.
Editorial distinction: The visit did not announce an immediate reduction in examination fees. Rather, IBCC expressed support for competition and improved accessibility as ways to encourage more affordable examination services
