School Exams Cancelled due to COVID-19

While China recovers from the aftermath of the Coronavirus storm, for rest of the world it has just begun - resulting in hundreds of schools worldwide temporarily closing their doors. On the back of these precautions, education boards, IBO (International Baccalaureate Organisation) and Cambridge International have released statements informing the public that the upcoming April, May and June exams are to be cancelled.

On Monday 23^rd March, the Cambridge International website stated, “In recent days, many more countries have decided to extend school closures into May and June, making it impossible for many of our schools to hold examinations. We have been consulting closely with our global community of schools, who need as much certainty as possible at an uncertain time. Our priority is to protect the safety and wellbeing of our students and teachers, ensure fairness for all our students and support them in continuing with their education… therefore, we have taken the difficult decision not to run our international examinations in the May/June 2020 series in any country. This includes Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge International AS & A Level, Cambridge AICE Diploma and Cambridge Pre-U.”

In a similar statement made the same day, the IBO stressed that the cancellation of its exams is due entirely to the wellbeing and fairness for its students and schools.

“As an organization, it is critical for us to ensure that the options we provide our global community of IB World schools are based on compassion for our students and teachers and fairness for the difficult circumstances our students and educators are experiencing… As a result, the IB with considerable advisement from stakeholders across the globe including schools, students, universities and official bodies has determined the most responsible and ethical way forward.”

As a result, the exam that was originally scheduled between 30^th April and 22^nd May will no longer be held. They went on to say that, “Depending on what they registered for, the student will be awarded a Diploma or a Course Certificate which reflects their standard of work. This is based on students’ coursework and the established assessment expertise, rigor and quality control already built into the programs.”

The IBO will release full details and FAQs to schools by Friday 27nd March 2020 (Central European Time).

Sources:

https://ibo.org/news/news-about-the-ib/may-2020-examinations-will-no-longer-be-held/; 

https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/news/news-details/view/update-from-cambridge-international-on-may-june-2020-exams-20200323/