Decision made during the meeting of the Interjunct Coordination Commission with the participation of the presidents of the educational boards
APWA Government College for Women. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
In a significant move for the country’s education sector, the Inter-Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) has granted Arts students the opportunity to enroll in science majors, specifically Pre-Medical and Pre-Engineering, after completing their enrollment.
The innovative decision will allow students who complete their enrollment in the Arts group to follow Inter Pre-Medical or Pre-Engineering programs, similar to the system in force in Cambridge.
The decision was taken during a recent IBCC meeting held in Karachi, in which chairmen of education boards from Sindh and across the country participated.
Following the meeting, the BICC issued an official notification on Friday, announcing the approval of this crucial development.
Before taking the decision, consultations were held with several prominent authorities including Pakistan Engineering Council, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, Higher Education Commission, National Curriculum Council and provincial curriculum authorities.
Their comments were incorporated into the final decision. This collaborative process led to unanimous approval by the BICC forum.
The new regulations aim to simplify the process for students seeking admission to university after completing their secondary education.
According to the notification, this policy will come into effect from the annual examinations in 2026. As a result, relevant educational institutions will have to take measures for admissions, including setting minimum marks/merit thresholds or conducting aptitude tests to ensure consistency across the board.
However, final decisions on specific admission requirements, such as testing thresholds or additional assessments, may be determined by the respective educational boards at their board of directors or at the relevant authority levels.
A copy of the notice was sent to the presidents of all boards of education nationwide.
The reform is expected to open new academic avenues for Arts students and provide greater flexibility in their pursuit of higher education in the fields of medicine and engineering.
