Building a Transparent Future for Pakistani Students - ETC Holds Capacity Building of Examiners Workshop at the National Skills University Islamabad

Islamabad

May 23, 2024

The Education Testing Council (ETC), in collaboration with the Punjab Examination Commission, held a workshop on Capacity Building in Item Development and Psychometric Analysis. The concluding ceremony, attended by dignitaries across the country and participants, was organized in the Main Auditorium of the National Skills University Islamabad. This intensive training program underscores Pakistan's commitment to fostering a transparent and accessible education system.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Chairperson of Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC), graced the concluding ceremony with a compelling address. Dr. Ahmad, the visionary behind the ETC, emphasized the organization's mission to create a fair and competitive assessment framework for university admissions. His remarks not only reflected the ETC's journey since its inception in 2017 but also a testament to its pivotal role in democratizing higher education access across Pakistan.

Dr. Ahmad stated, "The establishment of ETC is a cornerstone in our efforts to bring transparency to university admissions and provide equitable opportunities to students from all corners of Pakistan." He further highlighted ETC's innovative approach, which includes administering free admission tests. This not only ensures the removal of financial barriers that often hinder talented students from pursuing higher education but also underscores ETC's commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities.

Since Fall 2017, the ETC has been the vanguard of admission processes for both public and private universities, ensuring that assessments are standardized and accessible to students from remote and underserved areas. This initiative is crucial in bridging the educational divide and promoting inclusivity in higher education.

The workshop, focused on enhancing the skills of educators in test development and psychometric analysis, is a significant step in ensuring that the ETC's assessments remain robust and fair. As participants received their certificates, there was a palpable sense of a collective commitment to upholding the integrity and efficacy of Pakistan's educational assessments.

According to Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice Chancellor of the National Skills University Islamabad, such capacity-building workshops for examiners and teachers reflect the HEC's efforts to promote equity and equality and raise education standards in the country.

The ETC's efforts are commendable in an era when education is the keystone of national development. By prioritizing transparency and accessibility, Pakistan is investing not only in its youth but also in its future. The concluding ceremony at the National Skills University was not just an end but a promising beginning for students whose aspirations now have a more straightforward path to realization.