CISCE Cancels ICSE, ISC Board Exams in UAE Amid Rising Middle East Security Concerns

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has cancelled the ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) board examinations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to growing security concerns in the region.

The decision affects thousands of Indian students studying in schools that follow the Indian curriculum across cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Authorities said the move was taken after carefully reviewing the security situation and consulting with education regulators and diplomatic officials.

Decision Taken After Security Review

According to reports, the CISCE decided to cancel the examinations following discussions with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which regulates education in Dubai, as well as the Consulate General of India in Dubai.

Earlier, the board had postponed the examinations that were scheduled for March 2 and moved them to April 6 for exam centres in the UAE. However, due to continuing tensions in the Middle East and concerns about student safety, the council later decided to cancel the exams entirely.

A circular sent to schools confirmed that the decision was made after detailed consultations with relevant authorities.

Large Number of Indian Students Affected

The UAE is home to one of the largest communities of Indian students studying under the Indian education system. Several schools in the country follow CISCE and CBSE curricula, and thousands of students appear for board exams each year.

This year, however, examinations have been disrupted due to regional tensions, which have raised safety concerns for students and school staff.

Many Indian schools in the UAE had already prepared for rescheduled examinations, but the latest announcement means the exams will no longer be conducted this academic year.

How Students Will Be Assessed

Since the exams have been cancelled rather than postponed, CISCE is expected to introduce an alternative assessment method for affected students.

Although the council has not yet officially announced the evaluation process, experts suggest that it may follow a system similar to the one used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Possible assessment methods may include:

• Internal school assessments
• Pre-board examination scores
• Project work and academic records

These methods are designed to ensure that students are able to receive their final results without losing an academic year.

Schools have advised students and parents to remain calm and wait for official guidelines from CISCE regarding the evaluation process.

Rare Decision to Cancel Board Exams

Cancelling board examinations across an entire country is considered rare. Education boards usually take such steps only during major crises, security threats or natural disasters.

In this case, the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East prompted authorities to prioritise the safety and well-being of students.

School administrators across the UAE have assured students that updates will be shared once CISCE releases detailed instructions on evaluation and results.

CBSE Exams Also Affected in the Middle East

The disruption has not been limited to CISCE examinations. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also announced major changes to its exam schedule in the Middle East.

CBSE has:

• Cancelled all Class 10 board exams in the region
• Postponed remaining Class 12 exams

The affected countries include:

• Bahrain
• Iran
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

CBSE also cancelled the Class 10 exams scheduled for March 7 and March 11, as well as previously postponed exams that were planned for March 2, March 5 and March 6.

The board said it will announce the method for declaring Class 10 results for students in the Middle East at a later stage.

Students Asked to Stay Calm

Following the announcements, many schools across the UAE have advised students and parents not to panic. Administrators emphasised that the boards will soon provide clear guidelines on evaluation methods and result declarations.

Education experts say that although the situation is unusual, alternative assessment systems are designed to protect students' academic progress and ensure they can move forward with their studies without delay.