Narratives Comparing Punjab's New Matric Subjects with International Education Standards (International Baccalaureate and Cambridge)

Abstract

Punjab has introduced four new subject groups in the matric curriculum as part of a new educational reform. These subjects include Health Science, Information Technology, Agriculture, and Entrepreneurship. The aim of this initiative is to better prepare students for a competitive job market. The research addressed three key questions: How do these subjects compare with International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge curricula? Do they adequately prepare students for global job markets and higher education? What areas require improvement? The study adopted a qualitative comparative approach involving document reviews to explore how the curriculum of these groups aligns with the International Education standards (IB and Cambridge). A manual content analysis identified the strengths and weaknesses in curriculum materials, teaching strategies, assessment techniques and suggested ways to improve alignment. While the addition of these subjects is a positive step, several obstacles remain in current implementation, including outdated teaching approaches, a lack of trained teachers and inadequate practical infrastructure. The findings show significant gaps in interdisciplinary learning, skill development and critical thinking. This research provides useful knowledge for curriculum developers, policymakers and educators aiming to reform secondary education in Pakistan.