If PECTAA wants its decisions to be driven by evidence rather than assumption, the Outreach, Research and Development (R&D) Unit is where that evidence comes from. This unit runs the large-scale studies that measure how Punjab’s students are actually doing, builds partnerships with universities and global organizations, and publishes PECTAA’s research and reports. It’s the authority’s link between the classroom and hard data.
About the Unit
The R&D Unit strengthens the education system through four connected activities: evidence-based research, large-scale assessments, strategic partnerships, and knowledge sharing. Its core focus is improving student learning outcomes through diagnostic research studies and Large-Scale Assessments (LSAs) — the province-wide tests that identify the real factors behind why students do well or struggle. In line with the Assessment Policy Framework 2019, PECTAA has approved diagnostic research studies to guide policymaking and continuous improvement.
On the outreach side, the unit runs the PECTAA quarterly e-Bulletin and is establishing the Educational Research Journal of PECTAA, a biannual publication for research in curriculum, assessment and teacher development. It is also setting up the PECTAA Testing Service (PTS) to ensure fairness, transparency and credibility in assessments and testing — and it prepares PECTAA’s annual report for onward submission.
Key Terms — Decoded
Achievements
- Conducted the Large-Scale Assessment (LSA-2025) for Grade 6 & 7 across Punjab.
- Finalized the findings reports of the LSA-2025 for Grade 6 & 7.
- Conducted Quality Assurance Tests (QATs) of PEF & PIEMA partner schools, and baseline QATs of PSRP Phase-I schools across Punjab.
- Reviewed the results reports of QATs 2025.
- Developed the School Meal Program (SMP) Baseline Report — Phase-I.
- Completed data analysis and report writing for the Foundational Literacy & Numeracy (FLN) camps 2025.
- Reviewed the SMP Report — Phase-II.
- Participated in conducting the merit-based online tests and interviews for HTs, CEOs, DEOs & DDEOs.
Major Initiatives
PECTAA Quarterly e-Bulletin
Approved by the PECTAA Authority to improve communication and stakeholder engagement. Issued every quarter, it carries concise updates from all of PECTAA’s wings, strengthening internal coordination and timely information sharing across the organization.
Educational Research Journal of PECTAA
A biannual academic publication dedicated to advancing research in curriculum, assessment and teacher professional development — giving Punjab’s education researchers a dedicated platform and lending PECTAA’s work academic credibility.
PECTAA Testing Service (PTS)
A testing arm being established to ensure fairness, transparency and credibility in assessments and recruitment testing — the same discipline behind the merit-based online tests for education officers.
Collaboration with National & International Organizations
The unit spearheads strategic collaborations with national and international bodies to strengthen research capacity, assessment reforms and professional development — bringing outside expertise into Punjab’s system.
Current Activities
Exploring collaboration with LUMS
A preliminary meeting with LUMS was held at PECTAA, chaired by MD Academics Dr. Zubda Zia and organized by the Outreach, R&D Unit. The discussion — with Dr. Faisal Bari (Director Academics, SOE), Dr. Tayyaba Tamim (Dean SOE) and Faryal Shahid (Head of Professional Education) — explored collaboration opportunities in several areas:
Why This Unit Matters
Most parents never see this unit’s work directly, but it shapes decisions that reach every school. When PECTAA decides that early grades need more focus on reading, that call comes from FLN camp data this unit analyzed. When exam or recruitment tests need to be credible, PTS is the mechanism. And when the authority partners with a university like LUMS or a body like the World Bank, this is the unit opening that door. It is, quietly, the research brain behind the reforms you see on the rest of this site.