The Sindh government has officially introduced a new grading system for matriculation and intermediate-level examinations, becoming the first province in Pakistan to implement such reforms.
The new policy, outlined in a notification by the Department of Boards and Universities, will take effect in 2025, replacing the traditional system of awarding marks.
Shift from marks to grades
Under the newly introduced policy, students will no longer be ranked based on first, second, or third positions. Instead, their performance will be evaluated through a grade-based system.
Moreover, this new approach, which follows the guidelines of the Inter-Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), highlights the percentage of marks obtained rather than competitive ranking.
Students achieving 95 per cent or more will be awarded an “Exceptional A” grade, while those securing 90 per cent will receive an “Excellent A.” Additionally, a “Best A” will be given to students scoring 85 per cent marks.
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Further, the grading scale extends to 80 per cent for a “Very Good B,” 75 per cent for a “Good B,” and 70 per cent for a “Fair Good B.” Students obtaining 60 per cent will be graded as “Above Average C,” while a 50 per cent score earns an “Average D” grade.
Marks between 40 per cent and 50 per cent will be assigned an “E” grade, indicating a “Below Average” performance, and students scoring below 40 per cent will receive an “Unsatisfactory F” grade.
A step towards holistic evaluation
The Sindh government’s decision aims to foster a more inclusive and less stressful academic environment by shifting the focus from competitive ranking to overall academic performance.
By eliminating the race for top positions, the policy encourages students to focus on learning rather than competition, aligning with global educational standards.
The reform is expected to create a more balanced academic culture, allowing students to grow in a less pressurised environment while promoting equal opportunities for success based on individual merit.