Schools also highlighted that exam-year students will receive fair support and won’t face long-term disadvantage
Headteachers at IB schools in the UAE are reassuring students — especially those in exam years — that they will receive fair support and will not face long-term disadvantage, pointing to similar measures successfully implemented during the pandemic.
The reassurance comes as uncertainty continues to affect parts of the Middle East. In response, the International Baccalaureate (IB) recently introduced a series of support measures aimed at easing pressure on students, schools and families in the region, including in the UAE.
In a circular released last weekend, the organisation acknowledged that “many schools, students and families across the Middle East are currently facing extremely difficult and uncertain circumstances.” It said support would continue under its ‘Adverse Circumstances policy’, which provides mitigation measures when students are affected by serious, unforeseen events during an assessment period.
As part of these measures, the IB has extended the coursework submission deadline from March 15 to April 15, giving schools additional time to finalise and upload student work. Other options for affected students include transferring to another IB World School, deferring the May 2026 examination session at no additional cost, or withdrawing from the session with a full refund.
In the UAE, school leaders say they are working closely with students and parents while waiting for further guidance from authorities on the reopening of schools and whether exams will proceed as planned.
Leigh Girven, GIS principal and executive principal of IB Schools at Taaleem, said schools have already begun preparing families for two possible outcomes.
“The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme examinations are scheduled to begin on April 27, with Grade 10 eAssessment examinations starting on May 5,” she said. “At present, we are awaiting confirmation from authorities regarding schools reopening and examinations proceeding as planned.”
She explained that schools have communicated two scenarios to parents: either examinations go ahead as scheduled once schools reopen, or students are awarded assessed grades.
“In the first scenario, the school would apply for adverse circumstances to ensure the International Baccalaureate Organisation takes into account the period of online learning and the emotional impact students have experienced during this time,” Girven added.
The extended deadline is giving teachers additional time to review and support student coursework submissions.
Girven said the International Baccalaureate Organisation had “extended the deadline for schools to upload student data, predicted grades and coursework to the International Baccalaureate Information System (IBIS) until April 15.”
“This additional time allows us to ensure all coursework is completed and submitted to the highest possible standard,” she said, adding that teachers are reviewing student work and identifying any remaining components that need to be finalised.
However, she noted that in practice students only have a short window to make revisions.
“While the deadline has been extended by a month, in practice students only have around one to two weeks to make revisions, as teachers still need time to re-mark and moderate the work before it is uploaded to the International Baccalaureate Organisation system,” Girven said.
Most students have already completed the majority of their coursework requirements, but the extension allows some to refine key components such as internal assessments, individual orals, extended essays and theory of knowledge projects.
“At this stage, students are still preparing for Diploma Programme examinations, so the focus remains largely on exam preparation,” she said. “Where improvements are possible, teachers are guiding students to prioritise one or two Internal Assessments where targeted revisions could make the most meaningful difference.”
Other UAE school leaders say the additional time provides important breathing space for students navigating an already stressful period.
Richard John Drew, principal of Jumeira Baccalaureate School, said school coordinators are working closely with students to ensure coursework is completed despite the disruption.
“School DP and CP coordinators are working with students to get work completed especially as the last week of the spring term was brought forward,” he said.
He also reiterated that while feedback guidelines remain unchanged, the extra time allows students to manage their work more effectively.
“There are IB guidelines on the amount of feedback that can be given therefore this does not change, however, it does allow a little more time to make sure that students are not being disadvantaged by the current conflict in the region,” Drew said.
The IB has also shared detailed guidance with schools to help families understand the evolving situation.
“The IB sent all schools in the region information about a range of support measures as well as clarity about certain topics,” he said. “This has been communicated to parents by schools from the IB to help them understand the current situation.”
Headteachers emphasised that teachers are continuing to support students through individual and small-group sessions, both face-to-face and online.
John Bell, executive principal at Bloom World Academy, said, “This support has been available during term time and continues through the break, ensuring students can access guidance in a way that best suits their needs.”
For now, schools across the UAE remain focused on supporting students while awaiting regulatory guidance on reopening and the next steps for the academic term.
“While the current conflict is affecting the wider region and has broader implications, there is also confidence that exam boards and universities will take these circumstances into account. As seen during the Covid era, systems can adapt to ensure students, particularly those in exam years, are supported fairly and are not disadvantaged in the longer term,” Bell added.
© Khaleej Times
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