As the School Certificate (SC) and Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams are underway in Mauritius, concerns have been raised about the granting of additional time to certain students. The Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES) has addressed these concerns, stating that all requests for extra time are treated with the utmost care and rigour. According to Ashok Goonjar, Principal Examination Officer at MES, each request is thoroughly examined and must be accompanied by a detailed medical certificate.
The MES has outlined that students requesting additional time must submit a medical certificate specifying the nature of their condition and recommending extra time. Each case is then thoroughly evaluated, with a more in-depth assessment for students applying for scholarships. The Access Arrangement Committee, comprising medical professionals and specialists, reviews the validity of each request before it is forwarded to the University of Cambridge for approval.
The MES has assured that every situation is studied individually, in accordance with international standards. The syndicate has strengthened its control mechanisms to maintain the integrity of the process and ensure fairness among all candidates. Ashok Goonjar emphasized that all procedures are conducted in accordance with Cambridge regulations and with the institution's approval.
In addition to pre-exam requests, the MES also considers exceptional cases where students face unforeseen circumstances, such as sudden illness, accidents, or the death of a close family member. The syndicate reviews each case on its merits, ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly.
The MES has reported that the number of requests received so far is within the usual range observed during national exams. The syndicate has reassured stakeholders that all requests are treated with the utmost rigour and that the process is designed to ensure fairness and equity among all candidates.
According to Ashok Goonjar, the MES has implemented measures to prevent any potential misuse of the additional time provision. The syndicate works closely with medical professionals and specialists to verify the authenticity of medical certificates and ensure that only legitimate requests are approved.
The MES has urged stakeholders to have confidence in the examination process, assuring that all requests for additional time are thoroughly evaluated and validated. The syndicate remains committed to upholding the integrity and fairness of the SC and HSC exams.
Key points
- MES validates additional time requests for SC/HSC exams with utmost rigour
- Requests for extra time must be accompanied by a detailed medical certificate
- MES has strengthened control mechanisms to maintain integrity and fairness in the examination process
