The Punjab government has confirmed the schedule for Class 5 and Class 8 board examinations, which will be held across government schools in Rawalpindi starting 2026.
📅 Exam Schedule 2026
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Admission forms submission: November 3 – 15, 2025
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Class 5 exams: From February 9, 2026
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Class 8 exams: From February 16 to 24, 2026
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Results announcement: March 31, 2026
The exams will now be conducted by the Punjab Education Curriculum Training and Assessment Authority (PECTA), taking over responsibility from the Punjab Examination Commission (PEC).
🎯 Purpose of Board-Style Assessments
Officials say the move is intended to prepare students for higher-grade board exams, giving them early exposure to standardized testing patterns and evaluation systems.
⚠️ Opposition from Teacher Unions
Teacher associations, however, have voiced concerns over the decision.
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Leaders Muhammad Shafiq Bhaluwalia and Basharat Iqbal Raja argued that similar experiments in the past had failed.
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They criticized the exemption of private schools, saying it puts unnecessary pressure on government school students.
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The unions warned that failure in Class 8 exams could lead to increased dropout rates, particularly among girls in rural areas.
📌 Key Takeaway
While authorities hope that Class 5 and 8 board exams will improve academic standards and accountability, the plan has sparked mixed reactions. The coming year will reveal whether the move strengthens learning outcomes or repeats the challenges of past experiments.
