The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly affected the lives of all. The virus is spreading at a steep rate, with over 28000 cases currently being discovered each day. Over 11000 people have already lost their lives and the toll will only rise given the present situation. Although respective countries are taking all the necessary measures to counter the threat that we face, the seriousness of the situation is irrefutable.

One major problem that the world has to tackle as we try to impose much needed social distancing is that of examinations that were to be conducted this summer, particularly the CIEs. As the virus accelerates in Pakistan, the Pakistani government has decided to not have any examinations be conducted in the country before the 1st of June, including CIEs. Cambridge has declared that it shall abide by this decision and not conduct the May/June examinations.

The solution that Cambridge has proposed for Pakistani students who were to appear in the May/June examinations is for them to take their exams in the October/November session. However, the majority of students and teachers in Pakistan, if not all, are concerned over the effect this will have on students who are in their final stage of A-Level and were originally to take their A2 exams in May/June. These students will lose almost an entire year of academic pursuit. They will most certainly not be able to attend Fall Sessions in a majority of universities around the globe and will only have a few universities that will offer them admission in Spring. 

Recently, the government of the UK decided to cancel all examinations as well. Promising to protect the interest of all students, they have declared that predicted grades - after having gone through a specific process established in collaboration with Ofqual - will be awarded for their respective qualifications. We believe that this is the best solution to the problem. Otherwise, what purpose do predicted grades serve at all? We, Pakistani students, demand that the same be applied to the case of Pakistan. The problem here is no less severe than it is in the UK.

We understand that a year of our academic career wasted isn't worth more than our lives. However, when there already exists a solution that will successfully protect our interests, we just cannot blindly submit to a compromise. It is our firm belief that Cambridge shouldn't impose such a compromise on us either and instead fulfill its responsibility to us in these unforeseen circumstances. Although some students will probably get a grade that is somewhat better or worse than what they would have achieved in their actual exams, this is the only universally fair and acceptable solution. You have to trust the teachers' judgment. What guarantee is there that the situation will dampen by Oct/Nov? What if things worsen? What will Cambridge do then? Will there be a further delay? Or will they risk the lives of all students by bringing them together for an examination that could have easily been avoided through the execution of an alternate method? 

P.s There should be multiple options made accessible to different groups of students. Those, for instance, who are giving composites or appearing privately.