In a significant step towards modernizing education, the Sindh government has announced a new grading policy for matric and intermediate exams. This makes Sindh the first province in Pakistan to replace the traditional marks and ranking system with grades, according to a notification by the Secretary of Boards and Universities, Muhammad Abbas Baloch.
Effective in 2025, the new grading system will assess students based on their percentage scores, eliminating the first, second, and third positions. The Inter-Board Coordination Committee (IBCC) has developed a detailed grading formula: students scoring 95% and above will receive an A++ grade, while those between 90% and 94% will be awarded an A+. Similarly, students scoring 80-84% will get a B++ (Very Good), 75-79% will be graded B+ (Good), and those in the 70-74% range will receive a B (Fair), with 60-69% classified as C (Above Average).
While Sindh has taken the lead, other provinces—such as Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan—have yet to adopt a similar policy.
Lahore-based educationist Syed Abidi praised the move, calling it a positive step toward standardizing the grading system in the 10+2 education framework. He emphasized that it will enable students to better assess their performance and focus on areas of improvement, preparing them for the next academic level.
Another benefit of this system, Abidi noted, is its alignment with the grade point average (GPA) system already used in universities, which will help students transition more smoothly to higher education. However, he expressed concerns that adopting the new grading system should be accompanied by changes in the curriculum, teaching methods, and learning techniques, such as critical thinking, inquiry-based learning, and project-based assessments.
He also highlighted the potential challenges for students in rural areas, noting that it may take time for them to fully grasp the grading system and adapt to the new structure.
Despite these challenges, Sindh’s move marks a milestone in reforming Pakistan’s education system and setting a standard for other provinces to follow.
