Academic upset: Covid-19 leaves CAIE students in limbo

The largest examination exercise cancelled due to coronavirus outbreak

KARACHI: As the novel coronavirus pandemic disrupts global systems, students of Cambridge International have been left to bear the brunt of unprecedented school closures and the consequential suspension of all examinations due for the May/June 2020 series.

The examining body—Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE)—which works with a wide network of schools around the world, had announced the cancellation of all its international examinations for the upcoming session, on March 22. Citing the rise in the global coronavirus tally for the cancellation, the examining body had instead announced of producing an alternative method of grading without examination by March 26.

However, rather than providing a concrete solution as promised, CAIE on March 26 released another statement asserting that an alternative system was still in the works.

Later on March 27, the international examination body disclosed that the grading mechanism will now be determined on the performance of students as provided by registered schools.

In addition to that, the organization vowed to provide an update with more detail on March 31.



No directions for private candidates

Whereat the current, feeling bewilderment looms overall students associated with Cambridge International, the most affected by the turn of events are the thousands of privately registered candidates who, per sources represent approximately 35% of Pakistan’s total enrollment.

Regarding them, CAIE has maintained that it is still in the process of formulating a system for carefully grading students who are independently registered with the examining body. However, no updates have yet been provided on the matter, leaving private candidates entirely uncertain about their academic futures in the absence of any guidelines and grading policies.

Addressing the vague notices, Jalil a CAIE candidate from Islamabad expressed that the way the examining body has chosen to deal with the current circumstances has left him feeling unsure about what the future holds for him. “I’m a private student and there is nothing more unpredictable than my academic future right now. They (CAIE) need to tell us how this will work.”

“Why would CAIE make such an announcement without rolling out a plan for everyone?” said another private candidate from Lahore. “I’ve written to them but it seems no one bothers replying,” he added.

On the other hand, although registered schools were previously assured that they will receive comprehensive guidelines on the updated grading policy by March 26, all statements released so far have been a continuation of responses issued in this regard on March 5, when the issue first stemmed. Thus, with no clear instructions by the examining body, schools and students alike have been left with no other option but to hold their breaths and hope for a more comprehensive plan to be issued in the near future.

Moreover, the lingering possibility of an additional series of examinations was also ruled out in notification like response recently issued to partnered schools.

The notification which confirmed that CAIE holds no plans of conducting any supplementary examinations following the cancellation of the May/June 2020 session, also stated that the October/November series will still continue as per schedule.

More confusion

Other than that, to add confusion to the existing chaos, schools and students were further informed that the CAIE is also considering to introduce certain additional syllabuses for the November series of examination, which are not currently part of the examination curriculum.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on conditions of anonymity, a principal of a private school located in PECHS Karachi said that it appears Cambridge itself is on its wits end on how to approach the situation.

“One hand the Cambridge Examination System has announced for cancellation of examination and direct grading, while on the other hand, it is encouraging schools and students to participate in the November series. However, if that happens, Cambridge-affiliated students in Pakistan could, in fact, suffer from a major academy crisis,” he expressed.



Similarly, another principal of a private school located in Gulshan E Iqbal, shared that conducting A-Level examinations in November will put the academic futures of graduating students in jeopardy.

“If A-2 level students take their exams in November, it means that they will likely receive their results by January while admission processes in most local universities’ Bachelor’s programmes begin in October,” she told. “Likewise, students of the O-Level final year who want to shift to an intermediate programme will also miss admission deadlines of private and public colleges and are likely to end up wasting an entire year,” she added.

On the other hand, according to a university admissions officer in Lahore, the change in CAIE examination pattern will have a significant impact on the university’s admission system as well. “We do expect a significant number of private candidates every year.

This year with the exams being, it cancelled it might have an impact on our admissions. This issue has multiple layers — it’s not just Cambridge exams; it has an impact on admissions as well in some ways,” said the admissions officer.

The month of March has been full of confusion and looming uncertainty for many students around the world. However, those associated with CAIE have been saddled on a roller-coaster of fears and anxiety, as the organization has failed to produce a single comprehensible statement over a series of many.

Whereat one point, early in the month the examining organisation maintained conducting the examinations despite the worst of COVID-19, by March 21 it had decided to postpone. However, much to the students’ surprise, the next day it revealed its plans to cancel examinations worldwide and rather determine the students ‘grades based on assessment reports received from schools, for which a system was being formulated.

When The Express Tribune tried contacting Country Director Pakistan Cambridge System Uzma Yousaf for some clarity on the matter, she too followed the template response and added that a grading system is being developed, which CAIE will soon announce.

However, all responses and notices from CAIE so far, instead of offering clarity, have only led candidates further down the path of bewilderment with no knowledge of their academic futures.

Wales has it sorted

Although Cambridge has left its international students in a limbo, Wales Education Minister Kristy Williams has announced clear directives on how GCSE and A-level students will be assessed in the region.



In Wales, where AS-level is a standalone qualification as well as a precursor for an A-level degree, according to the updated policy, the current AS students will still receive an AS grade. Albeit, their grades will be based on multiple pieces of evidence including those provided by school teachers.

Then later, in summer 2021, current AS learners will have the option to either only sit the A2 examinations with their previous grade or sit the two papers together, in case of which they will be awarded the best grade from either session.

Whereas, year 10 and 11 students will be offered a similar route, where they will have the option to only sit the units they plan to take in summer 2021, with their GCSE grade based on that performance only. Or, sit the year 10 units in summer 2021, along with the year 11 units. They too will be awarded the best grade out of the two.