On October 13, 2026, a day that will be etched in the memories of thousands of students in Mauritius, the School Certificate (SC) and Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams were postponed due to the country's tense situation. The exams, which were supposed to take place on that day, were rescheduled following the unrest and tensions that had been building up in the country. The decision to postpone the exams was made to ensure the safety and well-being of the students.
The postponed exams included Biology (Alternative to Practical & Practical Test) and Physical Education for SC students, and History, Economics, and mathematics papers (Pure Mathematics 2, Mechanics, and Probability and Statistics) for HSC students. The postponement of these exams came as a shock to the students, who had been preparing for them for months. The uncertainty that followed the postponement only added to their stress and anxiety.
The Cambridge institution, which is responsible for conducting the exams, later decided not to reschedule the postponed exams. According to the Minister of Education, Mahend Gungapersad, Cambridge believes that holding new exams would not be fair to students from zone 4 who had already taken the exams. Instead, the institution will use assessed marks, which are calculated based on students' performance in other exams of the same subject.
The Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES) has assured that students, including those who are vying for a scholarship, will not be disadvantaged by this decision. The MES also stated that exam simulations and predicted grades will not be taken into account, and the results will be delivered as usual, without any mention of this procedure on the certificates.
The postponement of the exams and the subsequent decision to use assessed marks have had a significant impact on the students. While some students have expressed concerns about the fairness of the decision, others have tried to remain focused on their studies. A parent of one of the students affected by the postponement said that her son was upset but tried not to let it affect him.
The incident has also raised concerns about the impact of national tensions on the education system in Mauritius. The country's education sector has been affected by the unrest, with many students and teachers expressing concerns about the safety and security of schools. The government has been urged to take steps to address the underlying issues that led to the tensions and ensure that students can continue their education without disruptions.
As the students await their results, they are trying to put the experience behind them and focus on their future. The incident has served as a reminder of the importance of stability and security in the education sector and the need for the government to prioritize the well-being and safety of students.
Key points
- The postponement of the exams was a result of the national tensions and unrest in Mauritius.
- The Cambridge institution decided not to reschedule the postponed exams, opting instead to use assessed marks.
- The Mauritius Examinations Syndicate has assured that students will not be disadvantaged by the decision to use assessed marks.
