The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Private Schools Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has decided to extend the semester system to private schools across the province to align their academic calendar with government educational institutions.
The semester system was introduced in government schools last year for students up to grade 8, replacing the annual examination system.
According to education department officials, the move aims to reduce academic burden on students and teachers while addressing issues caused by differences in academic calendars between private and government schools.
Officials said students from private schools faced difficulties transferring to government schools this year because private institutions continued following the annual examination system while government schools shifted to semesters.
Under the existing annual system, most private schools conduct final examinations in March and begin the new academic year in April. In contrast, semester examinations in government schools are scheduled to conclude by the end of May.
PSRA Managing Director Javed Iqbal told Dawn that the decision was approved unanimously during a recent board meeting, including support from representatives of private schools.
He said a committee formed by the Elementary and Secondary Education Department would decide the timeline for implementation.
Education Secretary Mohammad Khalid said the semester system had received a positive response in government schools and would also benefit private school students by reducing academic pressure and minimizing learning losses caused by long vacations.
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