Cambridge cancels all examinations in Pakistan amid coronavirus outbreak

Pakistan had requested the international educational body to postpone its examinations

KARACHI: The Cambridge International has cancelled all examinations in Pakistan scheduled to be held in May and June this year amid the global coronavirus pandemic as health experts are urging social distancing as the effective measure to contain its spread.

Pakistan had requested the Cambridge authorities earlier this week to postpone their examinations after the country shut all educational institutions as number of COVID-19 cases have rapidly surpassed 470 with three deaths.

"As you know, on advice from the government of Pakistan, all school exams in Pakistan in May have been cancelled. This includes both local and international exams," according to an official statement issued by the Cambridge International on Friday.

It added that the international education organisation's "priorities are the safety of students and supporting their education in these challenging times".



The communique also said the schools can withdraw candidates from Cambridge's May/June 2020 exam series.

"They will then receive a credit note so they can re-enter their students for any future exam series - for example, the October/November series. We’ve asked schools in Pakistan to tell the British Council if they would like to do this by 10 April, in order that the British Council can let us know in full by 17 April. Our policy is the same for all students worldwide."

Uzma Yousuf, Country Director, Pakistan, of Cambridge Assessment International Education said in a statement: “I feel for students, families and schools at this very uncertain time, an anxiety shared by most in Pakistan, and indeed the wider world in the face of this unprecedented public health crisis."