No Cambridge exams, schools to give scores

No Cambridge exams, schools to give scores

Vinamrata.Borwankar@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:17.04.2021 

The Cambridge International late on Friday announced it had cancelled exams for schools in India and had decided to move to school-assessed grades for classes X to XII.

In a communication to its affiliated schools, the board said, “In view of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the country, we have decided to switch Cambridge International schools in India, from exams to school-assessed grades, so that students can receive certification and progress with their education.” The board has shared with its schools guidelines for collecting evidence to support school-assessed grades and how to work out the final grade for each student.

As multiple education boards either cancelled or postponed board exams over the past few days, students and parents from Cambridge Internationalaffiliated schools were a worried lot as the board had earlier stated that it would take a decision by Monday, April 19.

“It was very stressful considering that the exam was only a couple of days away. We are relieved with the board making an announcement,” said a parent.

Parents were worried if the exam was conducted, it would risk the health of the stakeholders. “Was Covid-19 going to disappear over the weekend,” said a parent from a south Mumbai international school.

Students who wish to withdraw from the exam series can do so through the portal until April 17 and then by writing to the board in the next seven days. The board has organised webinars over the next week to share information on the school-assessed grades process, including using evidence to allocate grades, using the rationale document and avoiding bias when setting these grades. The board, though, has said it would not be able to offer the same option for primary and lower secondary checkpoints and students could withdraw from March series.