All boards will conduct combined examination of Secondary School Certificate (SSC-I & II) from next year, said Federal Minister for Education Javed Ashraf Qazi here on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Presidential award distribution ceremony among the students who took distinct positions in SSC and HSSC exams in 2002-03, the minister said the decision about the combined exam at intermediate level (HSSC-I & II) would be made in the conference of provincial education ministers likely to be held in November at Karachi.
He said the government is taking concrete steps to promote education in the country and providing free text books from Class I to Class X in different phases.
The minister said that English has been declared as compulsory subject from Class I to Class X because we cannot make progress in the field of science and technology if we do not have grip over his language. Mathematics and science subjects would be introduced in English language at primary level in ten schools of four provinces, Javed Ashraf said.
He said 48 percent children in our country can not get education and there is a dire need for concerted efforts in education sector besides increase in educational budget.
All boards have been directed, to forward their recommendations to bring an improvement in the present examination system and end of cramming system, the minister said.
Private schools can get affiliation voluntarily with Aga Khan Board but government school would not take examination under Aga Khan Board, he clarified on the occasion.
The minister said the government would set up a primary school in every village of the country where the co-education will be introduced and female teachers would be appointed. On the occasion, the minister distributed cash prizes and certificates among 131 students.