In response to widespread protests and public criticism, the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government has reinstated the 33% passing criteria for grades five and eight under the Board of Elementary Examination GB (BEEGB). The decision, finalized in a meeting chaired by the Minister of Education on February 8, aims to address concerns over the previously stricter grading system.
The revised policy ensures that students scoring 33% in all subjects will be considered as having passed. Additionally, students failing in one optional subject will still be promoted, while those failing in one compulsory subject but securing more than 15 marks will also pass.
Furthermore, students failing in one compulsory subject with over 20 marks and one optional subject with over 15 marks will also be promoted. To further support students, those securing 30 marks will be granted three grace marks.
The BEEGB has also decided to separate board papers for Geography and History while consolidating the results for Social Action Program (SAP) and Basic Education Community Schools (BECS) to ensure uniform assessments.
In a broader effort to enhance educational standards, the ministry has introduced a structured monitoring system, teacher training programs, and improvements to school infrastructure.
The notification emphasized that teachers will no longer be engaged in non-teaching tasks, ensuring their full focus remains on education. New director monitoring positions and assistant education officers (AEOs) will be appointed strictly based on competence.
The decision follows massive protests in Gilgit-Baltistan, where students and parents demonstrated against the stricter marking system. The Elementary Board’s earlier results for grades 5 and 8 had sparked outrage, with a pass percentage of just 28.62% for grade 5 and 40.78% for grade 8.
Gilgit had the highest pass rate, with 51.69% for grade 5 and 72.11% for grade 8, followed by Ghizer and Kharmang. However, no other district recorded a pass rate above 50% in either grade.
The poor results led to protests, with students blocking the Karakoram Highway (KKH) demanding changes to the passing criteria. The unrest also resulted in police detaining protesting students in Diamer.
Faizullah Khan Lone, Director General of the School Education Department GB, explained that the initial 40% passing requirement and the elimination of grace marks were meant to improve academic performance in higher grades (9 & 10).
However, the resulting drastic drop in pass percentages led to backlash, prompting the government to reverse the policy and reinstate the 33% passing standard.
With the revised criteria effective immediately, the updated results will be announced accordingly.
