The British body that oversees A-levels and GCSEs in more than 10,000 schools globally on Monday announced it would cancel exams slated for May and June this year to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The UK government moved last week to cancel all GCSE and A-level exams nationwide because of the pandemic, in a decision that also affects British curriculum schools in the UAE.
But Cambridge International exams – including Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O-level, Cambridge International AS & A Level and Cambridge AICE Diploma – were separate from the exams mentioned by the British government.
“The situation with the Covid-19 outbreak is changing rapidly," Cambridge International said on its website.
"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 well-being of our students and teachers, ensure fairness for all our students and support them in continuing with their education.
“Today, therefore, we have taken the difficult decision not to run our international examinations in the May-June 2020 series in any country."
The body said it recognised that pupils had worked hard for their exams and it would work with schools to assess their achievements using “the best available evidence”.
Students will receive a grade and a certificate from Cambridge International, given the knowledge and skills they acquired in their study, Cambridge International said.
It said it would provide guidance to schools on how students would receive those grades, which it insisted would not disadvantage them because of the cancellations.
“We are talking to universities worldwide and they are factoring these unprecedented circumstances into admissions decisions so students can continue with their education journeys as soon as possible,” it said.
Cambridge International said it would continue to offer a wide range of support and resources for schools, teachers and pupils on its website.
It will provide an update for schools on Thursday and “as regularly as possible” after that.
More than 10,000 schools in 160 countries sit Cambridge International exams.
The cancellation came a day after the International Baccalaureate axed its May exams because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Friday, British officials announced a framework for awarding A-level results for 2020.
It paved the way for UAE students to take up university places after the cancellation of the annual exams in the country.
Education officials said teachers would assess pupils using mock exam grades and examination board officials would then review and certify performance to try to ensure university places are filled.
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Studying addiction
This month, Dubai Medical College launched the Middle East’s first master's programme in addiction science.
Together with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, the college offers a two-year master’s course as well as a one-year diploma in the same subject.
The move was announced earlier this year and is part of a new drive to combat drug abuse and increase the region’s capacity for treating drug addiction.
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
