Students, parents face uncertainty as Board rolls out student-centric evaluation plan.
Dubai: More than 10,000 Indian expatriate students in the UAE are awaiting clarity on their Board exam results after the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Sunday cancelled Class 12 examinations for the UAE and six other Middle Eastern countries amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict.
While the decision has been widely welcomed as a necessary step to ensure student safety, it has also raised concerns over university admissions, competitive entrance exams, and the evaluation of cancelled subjects.
Dr. Ram Shankar, Professor and Director of the CBSE Regional Office and Centre of Excellence in Dubai, confirmed to Gulf News that 10,198 students were registered for Grade 12 exams in the UAE, with a further 13,669 enrolled for Grade 10 exams, which were also cancelled.
“In the larger interest of the student community, and in accordance with local requirements and after reviewing the critical situation, the Board has taken this decision,” he said.
“Very soon, the Board will announce a policy regarding these cancelled examinations. The focus of that policy will be the best interests of the students. All aspects will be considered before arriving at the most suitable decision,” Dr. Shankar assured.
Comfort and concerns
While the decision has brought relief to some, it has also raised pressing questions for students in the UAE, particularly those completing Grade 12. Many are anxious about university admissions, scholarships, and entrance exam timelines.
Yash Abraham Vinod, a Grade 12 student in Sharjah, spoke for thousands of his peers: “We spent the entire year preparing for the Class 12 Board examinations, sacrificing a lot along the way, including personal time, hobbies, and social activities, just to focus on our studies and give our absolute best for the final Boards.
“The cancellation brings mixed emotions. On one hand, we feel disappointed because the Boards are a milestone we worked so hard for, alongside our teachers who have guided and supported us throughout the year. On the other hand, we feel some relief, as the current regional situation made it difficult for many of us to concentrate fully on studies and final revisions, and the decision has been taken to ensure our safety.”
His immediate concern reflects that of many students and parents: “Our main worry now is how the cancelled subjects will be evaluated alongside the exams we have already completed. We hope that CBSE’s evaluation method is fair and reasonable, and that the results do not negatively impact our university applications or future plans. At the moment, we are awaiting clear communication from CBSE regarding the marking scheme and the next steps.”
Devarshi Chaube, a Grade 12 student in Dubai, described the announcement as timely and transparent. However, he noted that many students are concerned about the evaluation criteria, as several had expected to perform better in the final Board examinations than in internal assessments. He expressed confidence, though, that CBSE will adopt a fair and balanced approach in assessing students’ performance.
Emotional relief
Another Grade 12 student in Dubai, Sneha Sajan, said the decision brought significant relief to students, both academically and emotionally.
“Preparing for exams while dealing with the current circumstances has been overwhelming for many of us,” Sneha Sajan said. She expressed gratitude to school counsellors and mentors who supported students’ mental health during this period. According to her, the Board’s decision has allowed students to step back from exam pressure and focus on their safety, families, and emotional well-being during a challenging time.
What schools are saying
Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO-Principal of Credence High School, described the decision as “understandable and welcome” given the circumstances, praising CBSE for maintaining close communication with school leaders.
She recommended three key steps moving forward: implementing a clear moderation process across schools, offering an optional improvement examination for students wishing to enhance their scores, and ensuring early communication with universities.
“Most importantly, we would like to reassure parents and students that these decisions are being taken in the best interest of our children, and students will not lose out in the long run,” school leaders emphasized.
Board has done this before
Several school administrators noted that CBSE successfully navigated a similar situation during the COVID-19 pandemic and has the institutional experience to do so again.
Punit MK Vasu, CEO of The Indian High Group of Schools, said the Board was “commendably well-versed in deriving equitable and accurate score calculations,” drawing on the methodology used during the pandemic.
“By leveraging comprehensive assessments of students’ current performance, internal evaluations, and prior academic records, the Board ensures that every learner’s true potential is recognised and rewarded with fairness, transparency, equity, precision, and parity,” he added.
He added that parents, educators, and students could take confidence from the fact that CBSE possesses “both the institutional historical experience and a very robust technical framework required to arrive at a balanced, fair, and credible assessment.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Lalitha Suresh, Principal and CEO of GEMS Our Own Indian School, Dubai, said: “While the situation is understandably stressful, it is not entirely unprecedented.”
Strongest performance?
However, she noted that Board examinations often reflect a student’s strongest performance after months of focused revision.
“It is not uncommon for students to significantly improve their performance during this final phase, when focused revision and exam readiness often bring out their best,” Lalitha Suresh added.
Even so, she said the school community remained confident. “We remain confident that the Board will once again provide well-considered directions that protect the interests of students and recognise the consistent efforts they have made throughout the year.”
Different situation from COVID
However, some principals noted that the current situation presents unique challenges compared with the COVID-19 disruptions of 2021.
Arogya Reddy, Principal of Ambassador School Sharjah, explained the key difference. During the pandemic, all CBSE students, both in India and overseas, were affected equally. This time, only students in the Middle East have had their examinations cancelled, meaning they will be competing for higher education seats in India alongside peers who have completed their Board exams in full.
“It is essential that the academic assessments conducted by schools in the Middle East are recognised with due parity alongside Board examination results in India,” Arogya Reddy said.
“Students in the Gulf region have completed the academic year with rigorous preparation for the Board examinations, and their internal assessments and predicted scores represent a comprehensive measure of their academic performance.”
On the topic of university admissions abroad, Reddy offered reassurance. He noted that most schools had already submitted predicted scores for their students, based on class performance, assignments, projects, and overall academic profiles. “I don’t think students should be overly worried about that part,” he added.
