The Punjab government will start 8th grade examinations in the second week of March, introducing computerized paper checking for the first time in Pakistan to improve transparency and efficiency.
Exams will continue for two to three days, with students appearing in three to four subjects, while authorities aim to ensure a smooth and timely evaluation process across all centers.
Results will be announced on March 31, after completion of the computerized checking, which officials say will reduce human error, speed up result compilation, and enhance fairness in marking.
The government has allocated Rs1.6 billion for conducting the exams, covering arrangements, staffing, and the implementation of the new digital evaluation system to modernize procedures across the province.
For the first time, answer sheets will be checked through a computerized system, reflecting the Punjab government’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accurate evaluation of thousands of students’ performances.
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The Punjab Assessment and Examination Commission (PACT) has issued standard operating procedures for examination staff, assigning school heads as resident inspectors and senior teachers as superintendents for proper implementation.
Primary and elementary teachers will serve as test administrators, with one administrator appointed for every forty students, while female staff will support students and facilitate smooth operations at each center.
Examination staff will be selected through an online system, and authorities have banned appointments of superintendents or administrators in their own schools to ensure impartiality across all locations.
Tehsil focal persons and inspectors will carry Android phones to scan barcodes of examination materials, strengthening monitoring and reflecting the government’s efforts to digitalize and modernize the entire examination process.
Computerized checking, digital monitoring, and clear SOPs highlight Punjab’s focus on providing fair, credible, and timely results, ensuring transparency and efficiency for thousands of 8th grade students this year.
