No Exams for IB Students in the UAE This Year; Announcement of Alternative Assessment System

 

This decision has been made with the aim of prioritizing the safety of students and ensuring the continuity of education amid current uncertainties.

 

In a significant change for this year's examination period, International Baccalaureate (IB) students across the UAE will not participate in final exams this year; this decision comes in light of the ongoing conflict between the USA, Israel, and Iran.

 

Parents of IB students nationwide were informed of this decision via emails on Monday evening; a decision that will create a major change in the way students are assessed.

 

According to a memo sent by one of the IB schools, it states:

“After consultations with the Ministry of Education, the government has decided that students in the IB Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme will not take the IB exams and instead, their results will be determined based on the 'Non-Exam Contingency Measure' (NECM).”

 

The announcement also emphasizes that students in these programmes will be assessed through an alternative assessment system.

 

This decision has been made with the aim of ensuring the safety of students and guaranteeing the continuity of education in the current uncertain conditions. This action is similar to methods used in past global crises, allowing students to continue their educational path without the need to participate in in-person exams.

 

Under the NECM system, students' final grades will be based on a combination of internal assessments, projects, coursework, and other academic evidence. This system is designed to maintain educational standards while reducing the psychological pressure on students in these challenging circumstances.

 

The International Baccalaureate Organization has announced that it will directly communicate with universities worldwide to clarify the implementation of the NECM system in the Middle East.

 

Officials remain confident that the grades issued through this system will be accepted by most universities and higher education institutions around the world.

 

Meanwhile, schools in the UAE continue their regular teaching processes and are particularly focused on completing internal assessments (IAs), as these assessments will play a crucial role in determining students' final results.

 

Further details on how grades will be calculated are expected to be provided to students and parents in the coming weeks.

 

Source: Gulf Times