The Punjab government has announced tough accountability measures after the recently released Class 9 board examination results revealed alarming failure rates across the province. With thousands of students unable to pass, authorities are considering dismissing teachers and penalizing schools that consistently show poor performance.
Strict Accountability for Schools and Teachers
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikander Hayat confirmed that schools with consistently low pass rates will be placed under immediate scrutiny. He stated that the government cannot afford negligence in the education sector, particularly when billions of rupees are allocated annually to improve student outcomes.
The minister added that action would begin from his own constituency in Patoki, where schools with disappointing results in both Class 9 and Class 10 examinations have already been identified. The Education Department has been instructed to compile a province-wide list of underperforming institutions to ensure accountability for both school administrations and teachers.
Possible Dismissal of Teachers
Among the measures under consideration is the dismissal of teachers from schools where students repeatedly perform poorly. According to the minister, public funds are being wasted with “almost zero output,” and negligence in teaching cannot be tolerated any longer. The move is intended to restore public confidence in the government school system and encourage a culture of performance-based accountability.
Disappointing Examination Results
The Lahore Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) announced that out of 308,000 students who appeared in the Class 9 exams, 169,000 failed, marking a shocking 55% failure rate. Boys performed significantly worse than girls, with a 65% failure rate among boys compared to 47% among girls.
Group-Wise Breakdown
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Arts Group: 63% failure rate overall (79% boys, 53% girls).
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Science Group: 53% failure rate overall (62% boys, 44% girls).
Public vs Private Schools
Private schools showed better results, with 67% of students passing. In contrast, government schools reported a dismal performance, where nearly 60% of students failed.
Education Minister’s Remarks
Rana Sikander emphasized that these results reflect the actual performance of students after strict action was taken against cheating networks across Punjab. While the numbers may appear discouraging, he argued that they represent a more transparent and fair examination system.
The minister further noted that this is the first time the School Education Department has conducted a comprehensive analysis of Class 9 and 10 results. Schools with repeated poor performance will face strict consequences, including possible removal of staff, to ensure that public education in Punjab delivers genuine learning outcomes.
A Call for Reform
The alarming failure rates have highlighted the urgent need for education reforms in Punjab. By enforcing teacher accountability and focusing on improving school performance, the government aims to enhance learning outcomes and rebuild trust in public institutions.
