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International baccalaureate (IB), has cancelled all exams in May. In light of the pressing Coronavirus, the curriculum has decided to completely halt all examinations, around the world. The IB programme is present in over 158 countries, and is being studied in 5,263 schools. A staggering number of 18,000 pupils in Dubai follow the IB curriculum.
A Geneva based foundation runs the programme. April 20 to May 22 were the original dates for the exams. Now however, the diploma based programme has completely come to a halt. The students will be awarded certificates based on the standard of work they have completed so far. The student’s performance in classwork and coursework will be the focus of their grades. Pupils will continue to work with their teachers virtually, in order to make sure their work reflects the best standards. The International baccalaureate team will then award grades based on these assignments.
The advice to all students studying at the IB curriculum is to continue to push for excellence in their coursework and assignments. They must continue to study. Online classes are still continuing, and there will be lots of one on on help for all students.
What Else?
Meanwhile the British curriculum, has announced a new system for awarding A level grades. The British GCSE’s and A levels have been canceled worldwide due to the Corona virus outbreak. So the new framework of grading, comes as an endeavour to help overcome this major setback. Education officials stated that they will be taking the grades of the mock examinations, along with a review of the student’s over all work. This includes classwork, coursework, and overall participation. The government of the UAE, had issued an announcement stating, all exam boards will be asking teachers for predicted grades. The Uk education secretary expressed his dismay at the current situation.
I can only imagine how distressing the cancellation of exams has been for students, parents and teachers. My priority now is to ensure no young person faces a barrier when it comes to moving onto the next stage of their lives.https://t.co/KiIslZMfHu
— Gavin Williamson (@GavinWilliamson) March 20, 2020
Instructors are now supposed to judge a students predicted grade, based on the current level of work being done in class. That predicted grade will then be sent to the A level board to help them make a final decision. Teachers will be taking into account a number of different factors. Mock examination grades, coursework, classwork, participation, behaviour, and overall performance. After considering all of the above, they will then send a final grade for each student to the examination board. Universities will also be more lenient when picking students, considering the situation at hand.
We have announced more details about summer exams in light of the coronavirus. I want to reassure students that universities will be flexible and do all they can to support and ensure progress to higher education https://t.co/wzsURln8WI
— Michelle Donelan #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@michelledonelan) March 20, 2020
Also read: Covid 19: Find Out If Your Street Is Part Of Dubai’s 11-Day Sterilisation Drive