A number one UK education board has confirmed the cancellation of international GCSE and A-Level exams in the UAE, amid persevering with disruption to education brought on by the Iran battle.
Pearson, a board that units international GCSE exams in greater than 80 countries, together with the Gulf, mentioned the choice had been made following session with authorities over the “current situation”.
The cancellation of essential summer time exams will have an effect on faculties in the Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Lebanon.
This follows earlier choices to cancel International Baccalaureate and CBSE examinations, owing to the sustained Iranian assaults on the nation.
“This reflects guidance and decisions taken in consultation with local authorities and other international awarding bodies in response to the current situation, with the safety of students and staff placed first,” wrote Emma Whale, vp of international faculties at Pearson, which is in cost of Edexcel curriculums.
“We have long-standing, tried-and-tested contingency processes to support schools through any exam disruption. Our priority will always be to support student progression through their courses, and ultimately to the grade that reflects their performance.”
Oxford AQA has cancelled IGCSE English as a Second Language, together with different topics assessed by the British examination board.
The National reached out to Oxford AQA for remark.
What occurs subsequent?
Alternative preparations for college students are being finalised and faculties are ready for updates.
Ms Whale added: “We’ll stay in regular contact over the coming months to make sure you are supported at every stage.”
For IB college students, outcomes shall be based mostly on cumulative assessments. The International Baccalaureate mentioned it “remains in close contact with partners across the region as the situation evolves” and because the “conflict continues to disrupt schooling across parts of the Middle East”.
The IB organisation mentioned the “non-exam” path to assess grades was taken in distinctive circumstances when authorities determined that examinations couldn’t be performed due to battle.
“We understand the uncertainty and pressure many students and families are facing,” mentioned Olli-Pekka Heinonen, director normal of the International Baccalaureate in a press release. “These are complex circumstances that require difficult decisions. The examination route remains our preferred approach but our focus is to ensure every student can continue their education and progress with confidence.”
Student efficiency to be measured
Simon Jodrell, principal at Dubai’s Jebel Ali School, a Taaleem Group faculty, mentioned they’re persevering with to method this era with “a calm, measured focus on both student well-being and academic integrity”.
“Across lessons, students are engaging in high-quality exam preparation, including regular retrieval practice to strengthen earlier learning, targeted past paper work, and clear modelling of exam responses so that expectations are fully understood.
“Teachers are utilizing detailed evaluation evaluation to determine and handle areas of problem, directing lesson time and intervention help the place it is going to have the best influence.”
The school is also gathering an evidence base of student performance so that awarded outcomes will accurately reflect their ability and efforts.
“Throughout the present scenario, we stay dedicated to supporting our college students and mother and father with as a lot readability as attainable, consistency and care, in order that they really feel assured and properly ready whatever the closing evaluation pathway determined by the examination boards.”
