• IBCC notifies new policy after unanimous approval by all boards
• Single Secondary School Certificate proposal still under review

ISLAMABAD: The Inter-Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) on Friday notified a new policy allowing students with an arts background in matric to enroll in pre-medical and pre-engineering groups (FSc) at the intermediate level.

The notification, issued by the IBCC, which is the main coordinator for all education boards, stated that arts students could register in these groups starting from the first annual examinations of 2026.

“Consequent upon the recommendation of the Sub-Committee and response received from Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC), Higher Education Commission (HEC), National Curriculum Council (NCC) and Provincial Curriculum Authorities, the IBCC Forum [meeting of all boards] in its 183rd meeting held on Dec 4-5, 2025 has unanimously resolved that the students who have passed the SSC (Arts Group) may be allowed to register for HSSC pre-medical and pre-engineering groups, effective from the [H]SSC 1st annual examination 2026 onwards,” read the notification.

It added that the forum also recommended that “[the] concerned institutions may take appropriate measures, such as setting minimum marks/merit, threshold, conducting placement or aptitude tests, etc, in order to maintain uniformity across all boards”.

However, it continued that the final decisions for this purpose — related to aptitude test, etc — “shall be taken at the respective board level, subject to obtaining the requisite approval from their boards of governors and other competent forum, where applicable”.

The notification has been shared with all education boards of the country.

The meeting also approved a major shift for O/A level students. Those who pass two major subjects in O/A level will now receive equivalence in the science group rather than humanities.

SSC proposal

The forum further discussed the abolishing of separate science and arts groups at the matriculation level and replacing them with a single Secondary School Certificate (SSC) with flexible elective subject choices. However, this proposal will be further debated in the upcoming meetings before reaching any final decision.

When contacted, IBCC Executive Director Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah elaborated that the change was made by all boards of the country and other stakeholders to serve the wider interests of the students.

He argued that “rigid and narrowed” policies limited opportunities and that any student capable of clearing the FSc (pre-medical and pre-engineering) curriculum should be allowed to sit in the exam. “This is a great decision to open new avenues for students,” he added.

Asked about notification issued on Friday, he clarified that although it specifically mentioned pre-medical and pre-engineering, arts students could now also opt for any group, including ICS and I.Com. “Actually, the main issue was pre-medical and engineering and that’s why these groups are reflected in the notification.”

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2025