THE decision to postpone all examinations till June 15 was much anticipated. Now even when the relevant minister has tried to streamline things for the majority of students affected by the decision, uncertainty still prevails for many students.

For instance, students in the final year of O level will now be sitting their Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) examinations in the October-November series, the result of which will be announced in January.

First, this is likely to impact their admission to colleges. What will be the criteria for awarding scholarships to these students in colleges given that they did not appear in the examinations a year ago as well?

Coincidentally, students who opt for FSc after O level, in particular, will have a tough time managing both programmes together; their O level examinations are scheduled for November, whereas the FSc session normally commences by September.

Second, the universities have been asked to extend the deadline for admissions till after November. How will the universities adjust the same course in a much shorter time?

The decision to postpone examinations till June 15 is subject to the coronavirus situation. What if the situation does not improve? Will the education of hundreds and thousands of students continue to suffer in the absence of effective alternative means?

To sum it up, in the wake of the pandemic, the focus of all planning is on causing minimum loss in each field; and the same should be the case with education and the future of the students.

Muhammad Majid Shafi
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2021