Starting next academic year, the Punjab School Education Department (SED) will offer matriculation students new subject choices. These will go beyond the traditional science and arts streams, providing diverse and career-oriented options.
New Subject Groups for Students
The SED is introducing four new subject groups for ninth-grade students. These include health sciences, agriculture, information technology (IT) and entrepreneurship. Students can choose one group at the start of ninth grade and continue with it throughout matriculation. The goal is to align the curriculum with international standards and offer practical, career-focused education.
SED Secretary Khalid Naeem Wattoo shared in an interview, “We have introduced four new groups: agriculture, IT, fashion designing and health sciences. Students will also be imparted practical education, with 35 marks allocated for theory and 40 for practicals.”
Training Existing Teachers
The department will not hire new teachers for these subjects. Instead, existing teachers will receive training for the new curriculum. Mr. Wattoo explained, “We will train our current staff to meet the demands of these new subjects.” He added that the department already employs engineers and computer teachers, making this transition feasible.
Maintaining the Current Examination Framework
The total marks for matriculation exams will remain at 1,100, as confirmed by the SED. The new subjects will be integrated into the current framework without altering the overall structure.
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Expert Opinions on the Change
Educationist Rana Liaqat expressed his support for these changes. He believes the new groups will bring much-needed diversity to the curriculum. However, he emphasised the importance of upgrading science and IT labs in schools.
“The government should also provide facilities for upgrading the science and IT laboratories in schools to benefit the students,” he said. He also mentioned that many existing labs are non-operational, depriving students of practical learning opportunities.
Mr. Liaqat further suggested appointing specialised teachers for agriculture, fashion design and textile groups. He advised the government to review the previous administration’s ‘Tech groups’ policy and ensure the new strategy delivers results.
Punjab’s initiative to introduce new subject groups for matric students marks a step toward a more practical and globally aligned education system. With proper teacher training and upgraded school facilities, this change could open new opportunities for students across the province.
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