Islamabad, 8 May, 2025: Education Department authorities have recommended raising the pass percentage for matric and intermediate examinations from the current 33% to 40%, aiming to enhance academic standards and shift the focus toward meaningful learning.
If approved, the revised benchmark would apply from the annual exams scheduled in 2026.
According to sources within the Education Department, the proposal seeks to discourage rote learning and instead promote critical thinking and conceptual clarity among students.
The change is still under discussion and will be finalized in consultation with the board chairpersons from all nine educational boards across Punjab.
Under the existing system, a student must score at least 33% in both theoretical and practical components of each subject to be declared successful.
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However, the new plan would require students to meet a minimum 40% threshold in all subjects. This reform will not affect the 2025 examination cycle, during which the existing criteria will remain in place.
Alongside increasing the pass percentage, the Education Department also intends to phase out the term “Fail” in academic results, replacing it with “Unsatisfactory.”
A revamped grading framework is being developed to make assessment more comprehensive and reflective of student capabilities.
These measures will be uniformly applied across all Punjab boards, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, and DG Khan.
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Educational experts believe that raising the bar will push students to develop deeper understanding and prepare them more effectively for higher education and employment.
Several teacher associations have welcomed the proposed reforms, describing them as a positive step toward raising educational benchmarks and ensuring more robust evaluation standards.
The Education Department is expected to make a formal announcement after finalizing consultations with stakeholders.
