In a landmark step toward overhauling the province’s education system, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has unveiled a comprehensive package of exam reforms aimed at restoring transparency and replacing rote memorization with concept-based learning.
The announcement comes after what Hayat described as a successful initial crackdown on cheating. “Having controlled cheating in the first year, we are now moving to strengthen the entire assessment system,” he said.
Among the most significant changes is a complete shift in testing methodology. Practical exams will now be replaced with Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) to standardize grading and minimize subjectivity. The entire exam structure will also move toward concept-based questions, assessing students’ comprehension rather than their memorization skills.
To enhance accountability and fairness, the government plans to introduce a constitutional amendment allowing the rechecking of answer scripts. However, due to the anticipated surge in applications, a higher fee will be charged for re-evaluation requests.
In a move to improve exam supervision, the daily allowance for invigilators has been raised to Rs 5,000. Only those who complete mandatory training will be allowed to supervise exams, ensuring professionalism and consistency across centers.
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The education department will also engage university teaching assistants to assist in the implementation of the reforms. Hayat emphasized that cooperation from both government and private institutions will be key to the successful rollout of these sweeping changes, marking a pivotal step in reshaping Punjab’s examination landscape.