Karachi, January 14, 2024 – The Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) organized an Awareness Seminar on the Model Assessment Framework (MAF) 2024 to transform assessment practices in Pakistan. The seminar, held in Karachi, brought together education leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to emphasize the need for standardized, transparent, and equitable assessments aligned with global standards. Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah, Executive Director of IBCC, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the transformative potential of MAF in promoting critical thinking, conceptual understanding, and lifelong learning. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Naeem Khalid, former DG Academics HEC, delivered a keynote presentation on “Revolutionizing Education with TPACK+ Model and the Future of Hybrid Learning Aligned with NCP 2023,” addressing the role of technology and pedagogy in advancing education.
Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Minister for Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh graced the event as the Chief Guest and expressed his gratitude to Dr. Mallah for initiating this progressive seminar in Karachi. He stated, “We welcome innovative input, no matter where it comes from, and appreciate such initiatives that aim to improve our education system. However, we must also honor the rights and powers of provincial governments as outlined in the constitution.”
He further congratulated all stakeholders and board chairpersons for their efforts and highlighted the upcoming examinations as a crucial challenge. “The next examinations will be a significant test for us and will determine whether we are capable of implementing this framework effectively,” he added.
Engr. Prof. Dr. Samreen Hussain, Vice Chancellor of Dawood University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), graced the seminar as the Guest of Honour, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to reform Pakistan’s education system.
A key highlight of the seminar was a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Munira Mohammad, Lead Specialist at AKU-EB. The panel included esteemed educationists such as Dr. Naveed Yousaf, CEI, AKU-EB; Mr. Muhammad Shafique Awan, Chairman, BISE Abbottabad; Prof. Dr. Shazia Naeem, CEO, CANTAB Publisher, Lahore; Dr. Fatima Rehan Dar, CEO, Oak Consulting; and Ms. Huma Arshad, Educational Leadership/AI Trainer. The discussion explored the challenges in the current assessment landscape and the role of MAF in the development of fairness, inclusivity, and conceptual learning.
The seminar also outlined the key features of MAF, including alignment with the National Curriculum, focus on higher-order cognitive skills, integration of digital tools, psychometric analysis, and comprehensive capacity-building initiatives. IBCC announced plans for nationwide training sessions to ensure the effective implementation of MAF, aiming to address regional disparities and improve assessment quality.
Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah concluded the seminar by expressing his gratitude to the partnering organizations for their support. He also appreciated the efforts of the IBCC team, including Mr. Ejaz Ahsan, Director Regional Office Karachi; Dr. Shahzad Ali Gill, Director Capacity Building; Mr. Imran Khan, Deputy Director IBCC; Ms. Sadia Naz, Deputy Director IBCC; and Mr. Baddar ud Din, Assistant Director, for their invaluable contributions to making the event a success.
With the support of education leaders, the MAF initiative is set to pave the way for a unified and transparent assessment system in Pakistan, promoting equity and excellence in education.
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