Thousands of IGCSE students are anxiously awaiting clarity on board exams set to start on April 27

• The schools under CAIE are supposed to conduct their main offline exams for its students starting from April 27.
• The parents seem to be strongly against the idea of conducting exams — be it online or offline.
• When we spoke to the parents, some of them mentioned their child going through mental trauma and pressure.

Due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the country, various boards have either postponed or cancelled the 10th standard exams. But the uncertainty around International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) board exams continues to perplex students and parents. There is no information regarding a rescheduling of the exam from the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), which conducts the examination.

According to the CAIE website, there are over 400 schools in India, which follow its curriculum. Business Insider spoke to a few parents across the country to assess what their concerns are about.“The board is not concerned about the safety, mental and physical well-being of the children” said a parent in Mumbai.

The schools under CAIE are supposed to conduct their main offline exams for its students starting from April 27.

“Online classes were being held from past six months when the cases were little subsided in the country. Now when the cases are exploding, the board wants offline exams,” said another parent whose kid goes to a CAIE school in Mumbai.

The parents seem to be strongly against the idea of conducting exams -- be it online or offline -- as it's not at all safe for their families due to the pandemic situation and every child doesn’t have the resources to appear for an online exam.

“Who will be responsible if a child catches COVID and gives it to the entire family?” a father expressed his outrage towards the board.

Due to a large number of students attending the exam, this can be highly infectious and risky for all students and there are bigger chances of getting an infection.

Earlier this week, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had cancelled exams for class 10 and postponed the class 12 exams.

On Friday, it was announced that the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) board exams for 10th and 12th were also postponed.

When we spoke to the parents, some of them mentioned their child going through mental trauma and pressure. “Our kids study 16 hours a day, of course, he’s getting anxious, he is in mental pain and distress,” one of the parents told Business Insider.

With no possible resolution in sight, parents and kids are on a wing and a prayer.


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