Egypt cancels 2nd term university exams amid coronavirus

Egypt has cancelled the second term’s final exams at universities and extended the suspension of educational activities at all schools and universities nationwide.

The Supreme Council of Universities said it has decided to cancel the exams at universities nationwide and replace them with either a research paper or online exams.

The research paper would cover curriculums taught in the second term, with every university placing the necessary criteria and guidelines for the research paper depending on the program of each faculty or university.

The online exams will only be applied by faculties or programs that have the needed infrastructure and technological capabilities to conduct tests online for all students.

The traditional grading system will not be applied with the grades to be limited to a pass or fail.

Universities are also to put in place guidelines to give students a second chance in case the research paper they submit is not approved or if they fail the online testing.

On faculties that require practical exercises or tests, the council said the period set for such exercises during the second term are set to be resumed after lifting the suspension of universities or with the start of the new academic year.

Distance learning will continue until 30 April for all classes, the statement said.

The council also decided to postpone exams for senior students until further notice with students given an adequate period of time before sitting for their exams.

The decision by the universities’ governing body comes a few weeks after Egypt cancelled some in-school final exams due to the coronavirus.