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ISLAMABAD, Jan 04 (APP):Private schools across the country are set to be included in the National Achievement Test (NAT) for the first time in 2026, following a decision by the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training.
The move broadens the scope of the NAT, which has traditionally covered public sector institutions, and aims to provide a more comprehensive picture of student performance nationwide.
In addition to the expanded NAT, the Ministry will launch Pakistan’s first-ever National Foundational Learning Assessment to gauge early learning outcomes at the national level.
Briefing the media, Federal Secretary for Education Nadeem Mahbub stated that the Ministry has aligned the national assessment framework with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4) indicators. This alignment aims to generate credible and comparable evidence on learning quality to fulfill international reporting commitments.
Mahbub said the National Achievement Test will be administered at Grades 5 and 8, covering schools across all provinces and regions. He noted that the inclusion of private institutions will ensure a more comprehensive and representative picture of student learning outcomes nationwide.
Over 20,000 students will be assessed under the NAT 2026 and the National Foundational Learning Study through a scientific sampling process to ensure validity.
Highlighting the context, the Secretary noted that the NAT 2023 results had revealed a “serious learning crisis,” prompting the Prime Minister to declare an Education Emergency. “It is the shared responsibility of federal and provincial governments to bring out-of-school children back and address their learning needs,” he added.
The initiative will be implemented by the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE) with technical support from the American Institutes for Research (AIR).