The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially postponed more Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations across several Middle East countries, impacting thousands of Indian curriculum students.

The decision applies to exams scheduled on March 5 and March 6.

What students need to know

In its latest update issued on Tuesday, CBSE released Circular-2, extending its earlier announcement made on March 1.

Here’s what’s confirmed:

• Exams on Thursday, March 5
• Exams on Friday, March 6
• Applicable to both Class 10 and Class 12
• Applies to CBSE-affiliated schools in multiple Gulf countries

Countries affected by postponement

The postponement impacts CBSE schools across:

• UAE
• Bahrain
• Iran
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia

Thousands of students across these countries are now awaiting revised exam dates.

CBSE to review situation on March 5

CBSE has clarified that:

• New exam dates will be announced later
• The Board will reassess the situation on March 5, 2026
• A decision regarding exams scheduled from March 7 onwards will follow after review

This means more updates could be coming soon.

How will students be marked?

CBSE has confirmed that marks will be awarded through a composite evaluation method, which includes:

• Internal assessments
• Pre-board examination performance
• Continuous evaluation records

This means students will not be required to reappear for the cancelled language papers.

“No student will be failed”

In a significant assurance to students and parents, the Board clarified that:

No student will be failed in the affected subjects.

The move is expected to ease anxiety among families who have been closely monitoring exam updates.

Advisory for students and parents

Students are advised to:

• Stay in close contact with their respective schools
• Follow only official CBSE announcements
• Avoid unverified updates circulating online

Schools will communicate further instructions as needed.

The postponement comes amid ongoing uncertainty in parts of the region, creating stress and confusion for families and students preparing for one of the most important academic phases of their school journey.

More updates are expected if further changes are made.

The UAE’s education sector will move to distance learning nationwide this week as a precautionary measure, authorities announced.

The Ministry of Education confirmed that students in public and private schools, as well as universities, will study remotely from Monday, March 2, until Wednesday, March 4.

Students, teaching staff and administrative employees will all operate remotely during this period.

Precautionary measure

Distance learning has been introduced as part of exceptional precautionary measures announced across the country to ensure public safety, including the temporary closure of UAE airspace.

In a joint statement posted on the UAE Media Office page on X, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research said:

“Studies will shift to distance learning from Monday, March 2, until Wednesday, March 4, for students and teaching and administrative staff across all public and private schools and universities nationwide.

The situation will be continuously assessed during the week, and the period may be extended if required, depending on developments.”

Schools to follow remote learning

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) confirmed that all private educational institutions in Dubai will implement distance learning during the same timeframe.

In a statement on X, KHDA said:

“In light of current regional developments, all private educational institutions in Dubai will implement distance learning until Wednesday, March 4, as a precautionary measure.

The safety and wellbeing of our education community remain our highest priority.

We encourage parents, students, and educators to rely on official government sources for accurate information and to avoid the circulation of unverified news.”

Situation under review

Authorities stressed that the situation will be closely monitored throughout the week. The remote learning period may be extended depending on developments in the region and within the UAE.

Officials reiterated that the safety and well-being of students, families and education staff remain the top priority.

The UAE Ministry of Education has approved new registration procedures for Students of Determination enrolling in public schools for the 2026–2027 academic year.

If you’re a parent preparing to apply, here’s a simple breakdown of what to expect and what you need to do.

How the registration process works

Registration is available through:

• The Student Registration and Admission in Public School service on the Ministry’s official website
• The MOE UAE smart app

Once you submit the application:

1. You will receive an appointment at an Inclusive Education Support Centre.
2. Your child will undergo evaluation and diagnosis.
3. The full assessment will be completed within 15 working days.

Parents must attend the scheduled appointment. Missing it, failing to reschedule properly, or not completing required procedures will result in automatic closure of the application.

Why full disclosure is important

The Ministry has urged parents to fully disclose their child’s condition during registration.

If a student is registered without disclosure, the Ministry reserves the right to take action in the student’s best interest. This could mean:

• Accepting the student under specific regulations
• Referring the student to a specialised centre

The goal is not punishment, it’s to ensure proper placement and appropriate support.

What the evaluation determines

After the diagnostic process, parents will be formally notified of the outcome.

The assessment will determine whether the student:

• Is eligible to enrol in kindergarten or public school under the inclusive education system
• Or is not eligible for inclusion in public schools

Important to note:

• The evaluation result is final
• It remains valid for the entire academic year
• Reapplying after a decision has been issued is not allowed

This policy is designed to provide educational stability for the child.

Required documents

Parents must prepare the following:

• A recent medical report (issued within the past year) from an accredited UAE medical authority
• A report detailing the degree and severity of hearing or vision impairment (if applicable)
• An Individualised Education Plan (IEP) for students transferring from private schools
• Certified academic certificates from government Students of Determination centres, including transition plans and services provided
• A Students of Determination Card issued by the Ministry of Community Development (if available)
• A psychological report issued within the past six months by an accredited specialised centre
• A signed commitment to comply with school transport terms and conditions

Having these documents ready in advance can prevent delays.

 What this means for parents

While the process may feel detailed, it is designed to:

• Ensure accurate diagnosis
• Provide appropriate educational placement
• Support both academic and personal development
• Maintain consistency throughout the school year

The Ministry has reiterated its commitment to inclusive education and proper integration into the school environment.

Parent checklist before applying

• Gather all required medical and psychological reports
• Ensure documents are recent and accredited
• Be fully transparent about your child’s condition
• Mark the assessment appointment date clearly
• Arrive prepared and on time

The 2026–27 procedures focus on structured assessment, accurate placement and long-term stability for Students of Determination in public schools.