Several UK education boards have announced the cancellation of IGCSE and International A Level exams in the UAE that were scheduled for May and June, citing the current situation and prioritising student safety.

The decision affects thousands of students across the country preparing for key international assessments.

Major boards confirm cancellations

Exam board OxfordAQA informed UAE schools via email that exams have been cancelled following consultations with the Ministry of Education, schools, and other boards.

Subjects impacted include IGCSE English as a Second Language, along with other OxfordAQA-assessed papers.

Meanwhile, Pearson Edexcel confirmed that IGCSE, International A Level, and iPLS exams have been cancelled not only in the UAE but also in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Lebanon.

Regional impact and safety focus

The move comes in response to the current situation across the region, with student and staff safety as the top priority.

Emma Whale, Vice President for International Schools, noted that the board has well-established contingency measures to handle disruptions and ensure students can still progress and receive grades that reflect their performance.

Part of a wider trend

This latest announcement follows earlier decisions by other education systems, including:

• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

Both had already cancelled exams in the region under similar circumstances.

In a move designed to strengthen healthcare in the UAE, authorities have made it easier for medical teachers to work in healthcare sector, without compromising on safety or standards. The licensing requirements for some health graduates have also been eased.

So, what’s changing?

Doctors and professors who teach in universities can now practise in the healthcare sector more easily, bringing their knowledge directly into real-world patient care. This means students learn from professionals who are actively working in the field, not just teaching from textbooks.

Officials say this is a win-win. Patients benefit from high-level expertise, while students gain hands-on learning and exposure to real cases.

The update is part of a bigger plan to modernise the system and make it more flexible, while still keeping strict rules in place to ensure quality and patient safety.

It also helps fresh graduates in nursing and allied health fields enter the workforce faster, supporting hospitals with more skilled professionals.

Authorities say the UAE’s strong digital systems and coordination between government entities are helping make these changes smoother and quicker to implement.

This step brings education and healthcare closer together, helping build a stronger, more skilled workforce while improving patient care across the country.

Dubai-based STS Group has announced a relief measure for families by revising school transport fees for April, as students continue with distance learning and buses remain unused.

In a circular to parents, the group confirmed that a pro-rata adjustment will be applied to April transport charges to reflect the disruption to on-site schooling and the suspension of transport services.

The revised amount will be credited toward the next transport payment or adjusted against school tuition fees. Parents will also have the option to request a refund, offering added flexibility during a period of financial strain.

The move aligns with similar steps taken by other UAE school operators, as families manage the dual challenges of home-based education and rising expenses.

The decision has been welcomed as part of broader efforts within the education sector to ease the burden on parents during ongoing remote learning.