Strengthening Educational Assessment in Balochistan: AKU-EB Concludes Capacity Building Project with Balochistan Assessment and Examination Commission

The Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) has successfully concluded a capacity development and technical support project for the Balochistan Assessment and Examination Commission (BAEC), carried out under the Balochistan Human Capital Investment Project. Funded by the World Bank and implemented through the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Government of Balochistan, the initiative marks a significant step toward improving assessment quality and learning outcomes in the province.

The project brought together professionals from BAEC and the Bureau of Curriculum to build institutional capacity in designing and conducting large-scale, sample-based assessments. The consultancy aimed to embed principles of validity, reliability, fairness, and contextual relevance in Balochistan’s assessment systems. The initiative was structured into four carefully designed phases, each focusing on a different aspect of developing and conducting high-quality examinations and assessments. These phases emphasized experiential learning, in-situ engagement, and real-life connectivity between theory and practice.

As a key outcome, the project produced a comprehensive Assessment Framework and Background Questionnaire for Grades IV and VIII. These tools are designed not only to guide BAEC’s system-wide assessments but also to enhance classroom-level teaching, learning, and assessment practices across Balochistan.

“At AKU-EB, we believe that access to quality education begins with fair and meaningful assessment,” said Dr Naveed Yousuf, CEO of AKU-EB. “This project reflects our deep commitment to working with public partners to strengthen education systems from within. We are proud to support BAEC in developing tools that are not only technically robust but also responsive to the diverse realities of Balochistan’s learners.”

 

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Professor Dr. Anjum Halai, Vice Provost at the Aga Khan University, emphasized the broader educational impact of the initiative and said, “Assessments and evaluation in education when designed well, create a wash-down effect that improve teaching and classroom practices. Through AKU-EB’s evidence-based, context-sensitive approach to assessment, we are not only building capacity but transforming how education is experienced across national curriculum based schools in Pakistan. This collaboration with BAEC is a strong example of how strategic public private partnerships can lead to meaningful change.”

The event was attended by Ms. Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani, Minister of Education, Balochistan, as the Chief Guest. She appreciated the collaboration between AKU-EB and BAEC, describing it as a strong model of institutional partnership. She noted that the introduction of modern tools and digital technologies would bring greater transparency to examinations and strengthen institutional capacity. She expressed the Government of Balochistan’s full support to take the initiative forward and acknowledged it as a model for the future. She shared that the entire education team in Balochistan is keen to serve the cause of education and is committed to improving learning outcomes across the province.

Participants expressed appreciation for the hands-on, applied nature of the project. One of them noted:

“It is not just theoretical knowledge—this project enabled us to experience and connect theory with practice. We were able to see the translation of validity, reliability, transparency, and accountability in a real-life situation appropriate for the context of Pakistan.”

By fostering technical expertise and context-sensitive practices, this partnership between AKU-EB and BAEC sets a strong precedent for sustainable, evidence-based education reform in the region.