Punjab is preparing to change the way exam papers are checked across the province. Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has announced that manual checking will be completely ended next year and replaced with on-screen marking.
The announcement was made during a press conference, where the minister also spoke about other changes planned for Punjab’s education system. These include SLO-based assessments, closer monitoring of schools and a new curriculum connected with artificial intelligence.
Exam Papers Will Be Checked on Screen
Under the new system, teachers will no longer check exam papers through the traditional manual method once the new system is introduced next year.
Instead, on-screen marking will be used across Punjab. The government says the change is aimed at making the examination process more transparent and giving students a fair chance based on their actual performance.
The new system is expected to make merit the main focus when exam papers are assessed.
Government Plans Closer Monitoring of Schools
The education minister also said that schools would be held responsible for weak academic results.
According to the announcement, the government plans to keep a closer check on school performance. Merit, rewards, penalties and continuous monitoring will be used as part of the effort to improve results.
This means schools will be expected to pay more attention to students’ learning and academic progress.
SLO-Based Assessments Are Being Introduced
Punjab is also moving towards SLO-based assessments.
SLO stands for Student Learning Outcomes. In simple terms, this type of assessment focuses on what students have actually learned instead of only testing how much information they can remember.
The government says the change is part of wider efforts to improve the quality of education and assessment in Punjab.
New Curriculum Will Include Artificial Intelligence
Another major part of the education reforms is a new curriculum linked with artificial intelligence (AI).
The minister said work is being done to develop the new curriculum. This shows that the government is also looking at newer technology and skills while planning changes to the education system.
However, the announcement provided no further details about when the AI-linked curriculum will be introduced or exactly what subjects will be included.
Focus on Fair Results and Genuine Learning
Rana Sikandar Hayat said the government’s examination system is designed to provide students with an equal opportunity to show their abilities.
He also referred to the performance of students from minority communities and improvements in girls’ results as examples of what he described as the benefits of reducing cheating and outside interference in examinations.
The overall aim of the reforms, according to the minister, is to make students’ hard work and actual learning more important in determining their academic success.
Punjab’s New Exam System
The planned shift to on-screen marking is part of a wider set of education reforms being introduced in Punjab.
For students, one of the biggest changes will be the move away from traditional manual paper checking. Along with this, the government is working on new assessment methods, school monitoring and an updated curriculum that includes artificial intelligence.