KARACHI: The Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) shared the announcement on Monday that all Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), Cambridge O Level and Cambridge International AS and A Level results for May/June 2020 exams, will be given equivalence based on the existing formula and treated as equivalent to the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC), respectively.

It was reminded through the announcement that in March 2020, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, Cambridge International decided not to run its May/June exams. “This decision was also taken by other national and international examination boards, which offer education programmes and exams in Pakistan.

In the absence of exams, Cambridge International developed a robust evidence-based grading system to ensure students could still receive their qualifications and progress into further study or the world of work.

“Leading universities around the world have shown confidence in this grading system and have said they will recognise grades issued by Cambridge International in the May/June 2020 series.

“The federal ministry of education and training has been working closely with us to ensure the same support for Cambridge students in Pakistan,” the press release mentioned.

Uzma Yousuf Zaka, country director, Pakistan, Cambridge International also thanked Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood for having taken all stakeholders on board and ensuring the best possible solutions for all students, including those taking Cambridge examinations during this unprecedented crisis.

“We are grateful to the government of Pakistan for their constant support in facilitating provision of world class education for students across the country, enabling us to maintain international quality and standards during this difficult time,” she said.

“In recent months, Cambridge International has worked with Cambridge International schools worldwide to ensure that the subject grades earned by students represent their achievement levels as set out by rigorous Cambridge programme standards. Univer­sities around the world have also shown their commitment to being as flexible as they can towards Cambridge applicants who will not be able to sit their exams due to this crisis,” she added.

“Cambridge International has been working closely with universities globally, to ensure that the May/June 2020 grades are accepted in the usual way. IBCC’s confirmation to provide equivalence to Cambridge International’s June 2020 results in the usual way, shows its confidence in the process that Cambridge International has adopted for the May/June 2020 exams series.

This will aid a smooth transition for Pakistani students, who are planning to continue their studies at higher education institutions in the country or overseas,” she concluded.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2020