The government is thinking of starting a new initiative to equip the nation's educational boards with cutting-edge technology, following the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) model.

Through a Rs. 50 million project called "Modernization and Standardization of Examination System," the federal government has improved the FBISE from 2015 to 2018.

Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Planning Minister, was the project's creator.

Documents state that the project was finished in three years "with accomplishment of all set targets." The PML-N government at the time desired to implement the initiative nationwide after it was finished. However, the proposal could not be carried out due to the change of government.

According to the official, "The government wants to provide the same facilities and technology to all the 30 examination boards in the country with the support of FBISE."

The concept documents for the new project have been finished by FBISE, and the planning minister will shortly get a presentation. The project is expected to cost Rs 2 billion, according to the working paper. Three resource-rich data centers will be established in the provinces as part of the proposed initiative.

The new project includes, in addition to other facilities, the provision of scanners and PCs for scanning, software customization, delivery, and training.

When contacted, the FBISE chairperson stated that the board was providing technical assistance to all 30 boards at the federal government's request.

In addition to moving technology to the boards, we recently held a training course for all of them. However, fresh staff and resources are needed to carry out the entire plan, so a new project has been created," he said, adding that all elements of the FBISE's 2015–18 project had been incorporated into the new project along with new items.

Dr. Malik described the new features of the proposed project, including the use of AI in the assessment process, the introduction of verbal communication, certification on educational assessment for highly qualified individuals, academic and resource audits, post-examination analyses, and the publication of examiner reports.

"The proposed project is being worked on closely by the Ministries of Planning, Education, and FBISE. The planning minister will soon receive a briefing from FBISE on this matter," he stated.

When asked if the provinces were willing to modernize their educational boards, he replied that they were all eager to do so.

State Minister for Federal Education Wajiha Qamar recently advocated for a forward-thinking vision and the implementation of technology-driven reforms in the national examination system while speaking to attendees of a workshop hosted by FBISE.

According to her, the government will consistently assist all educational boards in adopting digital transformation, which will result in examination procedures that are open, reliable, and focused on the needs of the students.