UAE pupils sitting summer exams are facing delays as education boards adapt to the ongoing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Education authorities in the UK confirmed last week that A-levels and GCSE exams will go ahead but will start weeks later than previously scheduled.
Last year, several major school-leaving exams across curricula had to be cancelled as the Covid-19 cases surged globally.
Thousands of pupils at British schools in the emirates will sit UK board examinations, for both GCSEs and A-levels, in 2021.
The tests will primarily be held between June 7 and July 2 – weeks later than in previous years – to allow pupils more time to plan for examinations.
More than 109,000 pupils in Dubai attend UK curriculum schools.
Brendon Fulton, principal at Dubai British School Jumeirah Park, admitted further disruption is possible as the world continues to grapple with the pandemic.
“The UK government announced that GCSE and A-Level exams will definitely be going ahead, however they will be slightly delayed by a few weeks to give schools more time to bridge any gaps that may have appeared during school closures,” he said.
“As a school we are therefore continuing to prepare our students for the rigours of formal end-of-phase examinations.
“Given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the impact of Covid-19 on formal institutions and processes, we are certainly conscious of the possibility that there may well be further disruption to examinations this year.”
Pearson Edexcel, a UK qualification board, has informed pupils that they are working closely with the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, to finalise what exams will look like in 2021.
It said while most exams will be held between June and July, a GCSE mathematics paper and a GCSE English exam will be held just before the May half-term to ease a hectic schedule for learners.
“We are currently reviewing the summer 2021 assessment dates for our International qualifications and will confirm details on this shortly,” read a statement on their website.
The International Baccalaureate Organisation has confirmed to The National that exams in November 2020 and from April 29 to May 21 will go ahead on schedule.
The IBO has set up a Covid-19 response team to ensure the needs of learners are met.
The board is, however, considering altering the length of forthcoming exams and will keep schools updated on its plans.
Heads of Indian schools in the UAE have said Indian School Certificate and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education exams will be held this year, but could be delayed by a few days or even months.
Close to 80,000 pupils in Dubai attend Indian schools.
“Exams are usually held in February and March but maybe delayed depending on the Covid-19 outbreak in India,” said Unni Jose, senior school supervisor at The Ambassador School in Dubai.
#cbseforstudents #cbseexams #cbse to bring relief to schools and parents the last dates for registration in classes IX &XI have been extended from 4.11.20 to 19.11.20 without late fee and from 20.11.20 to 28.11.20 with late details available at https://t.co/G6QCkY1n9C
— CBSE HQ (@cbseindia29) October 14, 2020
“The board might work towards a new formula for assessment,” he said adding that there “definitely would be an assessment.
“We are prepared at our end but are waiting for exact clarity from the board.”
The Ambassador School in Dubai will be holding in-person pre-board examinations in the months of November and January.
If exams are held at schools in India, these would also take place at Indian schools abroad.
Indian schools in the Emirates which follow the Central Board of Secondary Education said they have not received any confirmation yet on whether exams will go ahead in February and March.
Indian media has reported that exams may be pushed back to May 2021, but this is yet to be confirmed.
CBSE schools in the UAE are preparing for mock examinations due to be held in January 2021.
© The National
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