The Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC), in collaboration with key national stakeholders, held a consultative meeting at its Secretariat to discuss challenges in subject group classifications at the SSC and HSSC levels.
The meeting was chaired by Executive Director, IBCC, Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah, who highlighted difficulties faced by students, particularly those who complete most science subjects but are placed under humanities equivalence.
Participants reviewed the current system, assessing its impact on student mobility and higher education access, and discussed moving toward a flexible, subject-based pathway where universities consider the specific subjects passed for admissions rather than rigid groups.
Representatives from HEC, PM&DC, National Curriculum Council, provincial curriculum bodies, and examination boards supported eliminating strict subject groups at the SSC level and suggested unbundling subjects to increase flexibility. A national joint working group was formed to further examine the proposals and submit recommendations at the next meeting.
The meeting was attended in person by Mr. Fakir Muhammad Lakho, Chairman, Sindh BCC; Prof. Tasbih Ullah, Chairman, KP BCC; Dr. Ikram Ali Malik, Chairman, FBISE; Prof. Musharaf Ali Rajput, Chairman, SBTE Karachi; Prof. Jehnzab, Chairman, BISE Mardan; Dr. Imdad Khushk, Controller Exams, PMDC; Dr. Tabassum Naz, Director, NCC; Mr. Qazi Abid, Director, HEC; Mr. Shafique Awan, Consultant; and IBCC officers, while BISE Quetta and curriculum authorities from Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan attended online.
Participants appreciated IBCC’s initiative in bringing stakeholders together to address student-focused challenges and align reforms with international best practices, ensuring smoother and more inclusive educational pathways.