Punjab to Hold 8th Grade Board Exams Again After 4 Years, Staff to Get Rs. 4,000 Daily

Punjab to Hold 8th Grade Board Exams Again After 4 Years, Staff to Get Rs. 4,000 Daily

The Punjab government has announced the reinstatement of the 8th-grade board examinations for government schools , ending a four-year suspension. The exams, scheduled to commence on March 5th, 2026 , are expected to see participation from over 2.5 million students across the province. In an unprecedented move, supervisory staff will receive an allowance of Rs. 4,000 per day a first in the history of Punjab's examination system.

Major Policy Reversal: Exams Return with New Framework

The decision marks a pivotal reversal of the 2022 policy that had abolished mandatory board exams for 8th-grade students in government schools. The examinations will now be conducted under the auspices of the Punjab Education, Curriculum Training and Assessment Authority (PECTAA) , which has already begun preparing the annual board exam schedule.

A key development is the inclusion of private school students. For the first time, pupils from private institutions will also be eligible to sit for these standardized board exams, promoting a unified assessment standard across Punjab. However, mandatory registration with PECTAA will be required for all candidates wishing to appear.

" The reintroduction of the 8th-grade board exam is aimed at standardizing assessment, ensuring quality education, and providing a credible evaluation metric for all students in Punjab, regardless of their school system, " stated a senior official from the Punjab School Education Department.

Massive Logistics: Catering to Millions of Students

The sheer scale of the undertaking is monumental. With an estimated 2.5 million children set to take the exam, PECTAA faces a formidable logistical challenge. The exam will be conducted uniformly across all districts of Punjab under a single, standardized pattern to ensure fairness and consistency.

Authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations. PECTAA has initiated a comprehensive teacher training program focused on exam preparation, paper setting, and modern evaluation techniques. This training is critical to maintaining the integrity and standard of the revived examination system.

Historic Allowance for Supervisory Staff

Perhaps the most talked-about aspect of the announcement is the Rs. 4,000 per day allowance for examination supervisory staff. This historic remuneration is significantly higher than previous rates and is intended to boost morale, ensure accountability, and attract competent personnel to manage the vast examination process.

" This allowance recognizes the immense responsibility and hard work of the staff involved in conducting fair and transparent examinations. It is an investment in the credibility of our evaluation system, " the PECTAA official explained.

Education analysts suggest this move could reduce the prevalent issues of absenteeism and malpractice by incentivizing officials to perform their duties with greater diligence.

Parental and Educational Community Reaction

Reactions from the educational community have been mixed. Many parents and education advocates welcome the return of a standardized metric, believing it will help identify learning gaps and improve overall educational outcomes.

" A common board exam sets a clear benchmark. It holds schools accountable and gives parents a clear picture of their child's academic standing compared to a provincial standard, " said Ayesha Raza, a parent from Lahore.

However, some critics express concern about the added pressure on young students and the potential for the system to encourage rote learning. They also question whether the infrastructure is fully prepared to handle the assessment of millions of papers objectively and efficiently.

Private schools associations have acknowledged the move, noting that it allows their students to obtain a government-recognized certificate at the middle school level, which could be beneficial for future admissions.

Looking Ahead: Registration and Preparation

With the exam dates set for March 2026 , PECTAA is expected to open the registration portal for students in the coming months. Schools, both public and private, are advised to begin preparing their students in accordance with the PECTAA curriculum and anticipated exam pattern.

The reinstatement of the 8th-grade board exams in Punjab represents a major policy shift with far-reaching implications for educational standards, assessment transparency, and the academic trajectory of millions of students. Its success will largely depend on seamless execution, continued teacher training, and the maintenance of rigorous, fair examination practices. All eyes will be on Punjab in March 2026 as this revived academic milestone unfolds.