The Medical Students’ Association of Pakistan has welcomed the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council’s decision to restore the 75% mandatory attendance to sit in the final exams and 50% passing marks for all medical and dental students across the country for the current academic year.
In a statement, the association said the move was an important step towards strengthening academic standards and ensuring consistency in medical education nationwide. It added that the restoration of these regulations has brought Pakistan ‘back in line with globally aligned academic norms’ which would help produce competent and responsible healthcare professionals.
The MSA stressed that medical students were the primary stakeholders in matters related to their training. “We urge the Government of Pakistan, the Ministry of Health, and the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) to include medical students’ voices in the formulation, review, and implementation of future academic and regulatory policies,” the statement said.
It further reaffirmed its commitment to representing the concerns and aspirations of medical students across the country. It said it was prepared to work with regulators, institutions and policymakers ‘to foster a more progressive, equitable, and student-friendly medical education system in Pakistan’.
MBBS, BDS students exempted from new passing, attendance rules
Last week, the PMDC had clarified that there will be no enforcement of revised attendance and passing mark requirements for MBBS and BDS students enrolled up to the 2024–25 academic session.
The decision, made during the council’s meeting on October 21, follows feedback from universities, medical and dental colleges, and petitions from students and parents regarding the impact of changes to the requirements during the ongoing academic year. Earlier in February, the PMDC increased the passing marks for MBBS and BDS examinations from 50% to 70% and raised the attendance requirement from 75% to 90%.
“The Council resolved that there shall be no enforcement of revised attendance or passing mark requirements,” the PMDC announced. “Students already enrolled up to the academic session 2024–25 shall continue under the previously applicable criteria of 50% minimum passing marks and 75% minimum attendance, as stipulated at the time of their admission or enrolment in MBBS or BDS programmes.”
For future cohorts, the council proposed a gradual increase of 5% in both attendance and passing mark requirements. The change will be subject to further review in consultation with universities, medical educators, and other relevant stakeholders. “The finalised criteria will be communicated in due course of time,” it stated.
