Are 2021 GCSE & A-Level Exams Cancelled?

During a televised address, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the United Kingdom is going into its third lockdown. He also confirmed that A-Levels and GCSEs will be cancelled again this year in the UK. The PM said summer tests aren’t “possible or fair” for the nation’s kids, revealing both GCSEs and A-Levels exams won’t go ahead in the summer.

This decision comes in light of the UK government shutting down primary, secondary schools and colleges across the nation until the February 2021 half term.

In reference to GCSE and A-Level exams, he said: “We have to do everything we possibly can to stop the spread of the disease. Schools and colleges across England must move to remote provision from tomorrow, Tuesday, except for vulnerable children and the children of key workers. It is not possible or fair for all exams to go ahead as normal. Alternative arrangements will be put in place.”

Natalie Perera, Education Policy Institute chief executive said: “Given the amount of school time that pupils will have lost last year and this year, the apparent decision to cancel GCSE and A-Level exams this summer is sensible. It will also allow pupils more time in the summer term to catch up on lost learning rather than being on study leave. There may also be wellbeing benefits for young people.”

Although this new decision is only for students in the UK, it may, however, apply to students scheduled to appear for the 2021 GCSE and A-Level exams in Pakistan given that schools are still shutdown amidst the rise of the second-wave. Moreover, the second variant of the virus has also entered Pakistan, endangering the lives of pupils.

Public safety should not be risked or driven by an inflexible pursuit of GCSE and A-levels.