Coronavirus: UAE public school pupils to take centralised smart tests on May 4

The online tests have been designed and put in place as part of the distance learning programme. EPA

Pupils at public schools in the UAE will take centralised smart tests starting Monday.

The country’s Ministry of Education said it has set May 4 as the date for the third semester of the current academic year for public schools.

The tests have been designed and put in place as part of the distance learning programme.

Public and private school campuses across the country were closed in March to contain the Covid-19 spread and remote learning was introduced.

For grades 4 to 11, the tests will be shorter and an alternative to the end-of-term examinations. Grade 12 pupils will take the test and end-of-year exam.

In cases where pupils miss the main test due to emergency situations, the ministry will carry out another centralised ‘make-up test’.

Last month, the ministry conducted an online pilot programme to measure the effectiveness of the electronic testing system for public schools.

As for private schools, international exam boards announced cancellations to help contain the spread of coronavirus.

India's Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) cancelled examinations for grades 10 and 12 in overseas countries.

In the UAE, there are 80,000 pupils who attend Indian-curriculum schools, with the majority following the CBSE curriculum.

A-levels and GCSEs, which were supposed to take place in May and June, were also cancelled.