Goals and Characteristics of AKU-EB

Overall objective : The general objective of the AKU-EB is to design and offer high quality public examinations in English and Urdu based on the national curriculum for secondary and higher secondary education. It also arranges training sessions for teachers to develop appropriate learning materials to prepare teachers and students for the new examination system. It is intended to serve as a model of internationally recognised good practice in order to enhance the country's capacity for educational assessment and tests, and therefore to improve the quality of education in schools, and through them, the quality of education in the national universities.

Wider range and acceptability of skills tested : The assessment method used by AKU-EB evaluates higher intellectual abilities of comprehension, logical thinking and problem solving. As a result of a secure, valid and reliable process for national and international comparability of academic achievement, Pakistani students will become increasingly able to compete on equal terms for entrance into leading academic institutions nationally and worldwide without having to opt for the ‘O' and ‘A' level system. Consequently, the country will evolve to a more competitive position in the global knowledge-based economy. As stated by two leading Pakistani economists in 1998, “Individuals and societies that acquire constructive learning skills grow in knowledge and progress further, realising economic and other social benefits, while those who do not, become increasingly marginal and dependent” [1].

Scope and voluntary nature of AKU-EB: The AKU-EB Ordinance provides for full credit and recognition of the certificates awarded for achievement up to the level of higher secondary education. Affiliation with AKU-EB is voluntary and its creation provides an additional option to students of schools controlled by the Federal Government, and also students of non-government schools throughout Pakistan and abroad. The Ordinance provides for services to provincial government schools, but subject to approval by the provincial governments.

Governance of AKU-EB: AKU-EB has a Board of Directors which includes representation from many different stakeholders, including schools, the public examination boards and the Higher Education Commission. Several senior serving and retired civil servants and educationists have accepted invitations to join the Board. The Chairman of the IBCC (Inter-Board Committee of Chairmen of the Provincial and Federal Examination Boards) is an ex officio member of the Board of Directors of AKU-EB to facilitate sharing of information on performance with other examination boards and for transparency of AKU-EB operations, while the Director of AKU-EB in turn is a member of the IBCC.

Reasonable and graded fee structure : AKU-EB examinations, both in Urdu and English medium are being made accessible to schools serving individuals from all walks of life through a graded fee system. The fee for SSC candidates from not-for-profit schools will be Rs 1500 and Rs 3000 for others. This is more than the Rs 350-750 currently being charged by public boards (although it is unclear whether these fees will remain the same when the two-stage examination is introduced in place of the single-stage one now in use). However, it is much less than the fee for a comprehensive Cambridge ‘O' Level certificate in Pakistan , which is about Rs 26,000. Consequently, students who do not wish to follow a foreign curriculum or who cannot currently afford ‘O' and ‘A' level examinations are able to access similar standards through AKU-EB system.

AKU-EB was created in response to appeals from schools, students and educationists throughout Pakistan , and after careful thought and analysis by AKU's Board of Trustees and the encouragement of the Government. Its sole purpose is to improve the quality of education by making examinations of reputable standard more accessible to Pakistani students. Its assessment methods will be based on the evaluation of higher comprehension capabilities and successful candidates will be increasingly recognised by leading higher education institutions in and outside the country. AKU-EB is a national institution and will follow in all respects, as required by law, the national curriculum. The governance of AKU, including that of its Examination Board, is predicated on wide representation from many sectors including the Government, as well as on transparency and best practices. The Ismaili community does not determine the policies of the University. The Government intends AKU-EB to be a national resource and one which will provide a role model for other examination boards.  AKU has been working, and will continue to work, in that spirit.

[1] Haq, M. and Haq, K. 1998. Human Development in South Asia 1998: The Education Challenge. Karachi: Oxford University Press.