All examinations in the country postponed till June 15: education minister

Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood announced on Tuesday that all examinations in the country are being postponed till a later date due to a surge in Covid-19 cases.

The education minister, addressing the media alongside SAPM on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, said examinations will now be held starting June 15 and O and A levels exams will now be held in the October-November cycle.

However, the education minister added that A2 exams will be conducted for those students who want to appear for the purpose of applying to foreign universities.

The decision comes after widespread calls to postpone the current cycle of examinations in the country.

The minister added that a rapid increase in Covid-19 cases has been seen in the country since the last meeting was held on the subject on April 18.

"We will continue analyzing the situation and in mid-May or later in the month, we will analyse the disease and a decision will be made whether to further postpone exams or allow them to take place.," said Mahmood and added that exams may be postponed further.

Earlier, the education minister had stated that students can choose to defer their upcoming Cambridge examinations of May-June and could switch to the October-November cycle with the same fee paid earlier.

He had added that schools could apply for exemptions where they feel candidates were not able to complete the syllabus due to any reason.