In a major policy shift, the Inter Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) has approved allowing students who complete matriculation in the arts stream to seek admission in intermediate science programmes, including pre-medical and pre-engineering.

The decision was unanimously endorsed at a recent IBCC meeting attended by chairpersons of all provincial education boards, including Sindh. The policy will be implemented across all educational boards in the country.

According to officials, the move is part of broader education reforms aligned with the Cambridge system, aimed at widening academic pathways for students.

Under the new framework, arts-stream matric students will be eligible to transition into science streams at the intermediate level.

The decision follows extensive consultations with key regulatory bodies, including the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

Input from national and provincial curriculum authorities was also incorporated.

The policy will take effect from the 2026 annual examinations.

Education officials expect the change to expand students’ academic choices and ease access to university admissions in the coming years.