This morning Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood announced that CIE O and A’level exams were to be postponed and shifted to the October/ November cycle, and only A2 students would be required to give their final exams from 15th June onwards. On Twitter, Shafqat Mahmood also elaborated that the decision was taken in light of the increase in covid-19 cases in Pakistan, which was a issue highlighted by parents and students who were suppose to give the exams this year.
“Addressing health concerns of students and parents All exams cancelled till June 15 and depending on the spread of the disease may even go further.” he wrote
Addressing health concerns of students and parents All exams cancelled till June 15 and depending on the spread of the disease may even go further. Cambridge exams postponed till Oct/Nov for all grades. Only exception for those in A2 who have a compulsion to take exam now
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) April 27, 2021
He also elaborated on the safety compulsions that will be made for A2 students in order to ensure they are not forced to take a gap year and can take their exams in a safe environment
University admissions in Pakistan will be aligned for class 12 and A2 who will be taking exams in Oct/Nov. This is to ensure no one loses a year. For A2 who have some compulsion to take exams now, every attempt will be made to provide safe venues. Not more than 50 students
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) April 27, 2021
When the news reached Twitter it received a mixed reaction. While some students were relieved that they would not be required to give exams during a pandemic, other’s were disappointed that the government had dismissed the chance for requesting Cambridge to offer student-assessed grades so students would not be required to sit for exams in a pandemic.
Lawyer and activist Jibran Nasir took to Twitter to congratulate the student’s who had for months spread awareness on this issue using hashtags like #NCOCsavestudents and #CancelExams, and also urged Shafqat Mahmood to consider SAG’s as an appropriate manner to grade students during this pandemic:
All Students congratulations on the in thus far. It was made possible with your unity and consistent effort and we need to keep the momentum going more than ever. We must push @Shafqat_Mahmood to get #Cambridge to offer #SAGs. Our students should not he made to miss this session. pic.twitter.com/jjeoWPHmX2
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) April 27, 2021
Most of the students tweeted that they were relieved by the decision because it allowed them to take care of their health during this pandemic
Extremely overwhelmed with all the love students and their parents have sent via tweets & DMs. While the govt’s decisions aren’t ideal and should have gone with TAGs, at least lives can be saved until Oct/Nov. Don’t know what will be COVID situation then but at least some relief.
— Wajahat Kazmi 🇵🇰 (@KazmiWajahat) April 27, 2021
From fighting for our right we are now here. Jheet sach ki hi hoti hai . We did it boys at last. Make it Trend #JheetSachki #NCOC #NCOCcancelexams #ImranKhanCancelExam #ncocsavesstudents #Shafqatmehmood #LivesAreImportantThanForeignAid pic.twitter.com/h8e9F36Fag
— Asad Ali (@asadiofficial) April 27, 2021
Exams got cancelled.
All our hard work didn’t go to waste.
Thats not what we asked for.
BUT Its better than nothing .#NCOCsavestudents#examscancelled #ShafqatMehmood pic.twitter.com/RpPn98jpFd— 𝙁𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙍𝙞𝙖𝙯. (@FarisRiaz1) April 27, 2021
Finally govt. wakes up and the calls by students to cancel physical exams of O/A levels bears fruit. However still don’t get why the govt. is avoiding to avail the option of school assessed grades. Still a sigh of relief. @HniaziISF @TBandey #StudentLivesMatter #Examscancelled https://t.co/chbxUpBXTd
— Usama Malik (@UsamaMaalik1) April 27, 2021
Thanks, #NCOC for cancelling #CIES2021 till October.
Thnx also for listening to some “Nobodies” who were genuinely worried that their loved ones may contract #COVID19 due to weak implementation of #SOPs at exam centres.
دیر آئید درست آئید#OALevelExamsCancelled in #Pakistan
— Abid Qaiyum Suleri (@Abidsuleri) April 27, 2021
Do you agree with this decision? Do let us know in the comments!
