The Sindh government has ushered in a significant change in the evaluation system for secondary and higher secondary education. The provincial education authorities have officially announced a new grading policy for both Matriculation (Class 9 & 10) and Intermediate (Class 11 & 12) examinations. This reform replaces the traditional division-based system with a modern Grade Point Average (GPA) scale, aligning with contemporary educational practices.
Details of the New Grading System
The decision was formalized by the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) following directives from the Sindh government. Under the new policy, the old classifications of First, Second, and Third Divisions will be completely abolished. Instead, student performance will be categorized using a GPA ranging from 1 to 4, along with letter grades from A to D.
The specific grading breakdown is as follows:
- Students securing 80% marks and above will achieve a GPA of 4.0 and be awarded an A+ grade.
- A score between 70% and 79% will translate to a GPA of 3.5 and an A grade.
- For marks from 60% to 69%, students will receive a GPA of 3.0 with a B grade.
- A score between 50% and 59% will result in a GPA of 2.5 and a C grade.
- Finally, students obtaining between 40% and 49% will get a GPA of 2.0 and a D grade.
This new framework applies uniformly to all students under the jurisdiction of boards of intermediate and secondary education across Sindh. The policy was developed in consultation with key stakeholders, including the Secretary of Universities and Boards, to ensure a smooth transition.
Implementation and Official Communication
The BSEK has taken proactive steps to implement this change. An official notification detailing the new Sindh Matric and Intermediate grading policy has been circulated to all relevant institutions. Furthermore, the board has updated its official website and online services portal to reflect the new grading structure. This ensures that students, parents, and educators can easily access and understand the new evaluation criteria.
The Chairman of BSEK emphasized that this move is part of broader educational reforms aimed at modernizing the assessment process. The shift to a GPA system is seen as a more precise and internationally recognized method of representing academic achievement, which could benefit students in higher education and professional pursuits.
Implications and Future Outlook
This policy change marks a decisive break from a decades-old system. For students currently enrolled in Matric and Intermediate programs in Sindh, their final certificates and mark sheets will now display their GPA and letter grade instead of a division. This brings Sindh in line with grading practices used in many universities and educational boards worldwide.
The reform is expected to reduce the stigma associated with the "Third Division" label and provide a more nuanced understanding of a student's performance. Educators hope it will encourage a focus on consistent learning rather than merely aiming for a divisional cutoff. The success of this new Sindh education policy will depend on effective communication to all schools and colleges and its seamless execution in the upcoming examination cycles.
As the new system rolls out, it represents a significant step towards modernizing Pakistan's educational assessment framework, starting with one of its most populous provinces.
