The following is a formal appeal on behalf of IB students in Thailand for the utilization of the non-examination route during the upcoming May 2021 Assessments. Students and parents alike are of the belief that developments in the COVID-19 pandemic across the nation warrant a reconsideration of the decision to proceed with the examinations on campus.

The recent progression of the COVID-19 pandemic across the nation is a source of trepidation for experts and citizens alike, warranting a reconsideration of the decision to proceed with the IB examinations, particularly when the non-examination route provides a viable alternative.

The emergence of the new strain of the virus (B.1.1.7) further amplifies the danger posed by any form of public gathering, be it recreational or educational in nature. The number of daily reported cases surpassed 1,500 on the 15th of April (highest number ever recorded in Thailand) with experts affirming that such a trend will persist exponentially in the months to follow after the Songkran break and will ideally take at least two months to contain the new outbreak. Many family members/students have attended the high risk venues (linked to the source of the new outbreak), yet have been in close contact with the rest of the students at school as only recently the new outbreak was found, leaving all of the students, parents, and teachers at a great risk. Recently, we have been updated with several confirmed cases within many of the IB communities in Thailand, be it teachers, staff, parents or even students themselves. 

However, accounting for economic factors, a nationwide lockdown is not a possibility, therefore the absence of any official containment measures must not be regarded as a testament to the safety or feasibility of conducting exams. Students, therefore, appeal to the IB and IB coordinators to re-examine the circumstances within Thailand with relation to the pandemic and permit students to avail the non-examination route.

We hope to see more consideration of students' health, safety, and well-being and please do not force us into the exam-route at such difficult times.