Islamabad, In a significant development aimed at bolstering Pakistan’s educational assessment systems, Ms. Uzma Yousaf, the Country Director of Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), met with Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, the Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training. The meeting focused on expanding CAIE’s role in enhancing the assessment capabilities of local education boards in Pakistan.

According to Press Information Department, during the meeting, Dr. Siddiqui highlighted CAIE’s constructive impact on Pakistan’s education sector and urged further expansion of their role. He emphasized the importance of improving transparency in assessments and engaging more deeply with local educational institutions. The minister lauded the fact that local schools in Pakistan are now authorized to conduct CAIE examinations independently, noting that about 25 prominent local schools are already administering these exams.

Dr. Siddiqui was briefed on the upcoming National Seminar on Assessment Reforms, which CAIE will co-host. The seminar aims to establish a roadmap for advancing the assessment capabilities of local education boards, a critical step towards aligning them with international standards.

Additionally, Ms. Yousaf extended an invitation to Dr. Siddiqui to visit Cambridge, UK, to facilitate an exchange of knowledge and expedite the learning process for local institutions from Cambridge’s global knowledge base. She also informed the minister about the planned expansion of CAIE’s involvement in the DARE and ASPIRE projects, which are pivotal to the development of Pakistan’s educational framework.

This meeting marks a key step in enhancing the quality and integrity of educational assessments in Pakistan, aiming to bring them on par with global standards and improve educational outcomes across the country.