Coronavirus: Cambridge issues new timetable for O level exams in Pakistan

A logo of the Cambridge Assessment International Education. Photo: File

• CIE says AS and A-Levels to go ahead as timetabled.
• UK board says O Levels and IGCSEs to take place from May 15.
• CIE vows not to switch to school-assessed grading.

Cambridge International Examinations announced Thursday that O-level exams will be held from May 15, while A-level exams will be held as "scheduled," the council said in a statement.

"Cambridge International AS and A Levels will go ahead as planned, O Levels and IGCSE will take place from May 15," the statement said.

Previously, these exams were to start on April 26, 2020. However, the AS and A-Levels exams would continue according to the already announced schedule from the end of April.

Approximately 50,000 candidates are reported to be on the O / IGCSE level exams and around 40,000 on the AS / A level exams across Pakistan.

The UK council said it was "working hard to support the efforts of Pakistani schools and authorities to keep students safe and help them" to continue their education amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The council said it was working with the Pakistani government on the issue.

“We are happy to announce that with the help of the Pakistani government, we will be achieving all levels of Cambridge International AS&A as planned so that students can take the next step in their education,” ICN said.

The board said it had agreed that the Cambridge O Level and IGCSE exams would not take place until May 15.

“We are now urgently looking for the best way to make this work. We are not going to move on to the grades assessed by the school, ”the board promised. He added that they will provide more information to schools next week.

Shafqat Mehmood holds a meeting with Cambridge

The CIE statement came hours after the Federal Minister of Education and Vocational Training Shafqat Mehmood announced Thursday evening that the CIE had agreed to postpone “O” level exams after May 15.

The minister said the decision was taken after a detailed discussion with relevant bodies, adding that related details would be shared by Cambridge later.

After detailed discussions, Cambridge has agreed to reschedule ‘O’ level exams to after May 15. Details will be shared later by them. However, ‘A’ and ‘As’ level exams will take place as per the original timetable, following all the SOPs. Wishing everyone success in the exams

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) March 25, 2021

"However, the 'A' and 'As' level exams will be conducted according to the original schedule, following all SOPs. Wishing everyone to pass the exams," he said.

Mehmood had indicated the possibility of postponing the O and A level exams scheduled for the May / June session.

The minister, in a tweet earlier today, said students are "constantly calling, texting or writing emails" and he wants them to know he is "in constant contact with the Cambridge authorities".

He said discussions are underway to postpone "most, if not all, exams after May 15," adding that "I should find out more tomorrow."

Earlier this month, the minister announced that all Cambridge exams, as well as those for intermediate and enrolled students, would run on this year's schedule.

He said tests for grades 10, 11 and 12 will take place this year in May and June.

“Our children take [inter and matrix] exams under Pakistani guidance, so the same [rule] will also apply to children who take exams for other councils,” he said, referring to the students. level O and A.

However, following a meeting of ministers of health and education at the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) on March 24, during which it was decided that schools in areas sensitive to coronavirus would remain closed until March 24. On April 11, the exams were discussed again.

Mehmood had said after the meeting that he would discuss with Cambridge the possibility of postponing the exams scheduled for the May / June session.