Forum: Don’t postpone national exams over haze; protect students instead

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has said it will consider closing schools and postponing national examinations if the next-day 24-hour PSI forecast enters the hazardous range (Some schools suspend outdoor activities as haze worsens, Oct 14).

While student health must come first, postponing exams is not the best response.

First, such an announcement would come at short notice. Students who have prepared diligently for the papers may be discouraged, having peaked mentally and emotionally for the day.

Second, postponement creates uncertainty as no one can say when conditions will improve. Students and parents would be left waiting without clarity on when the exams will resume.

Third, major national exams such as the O and A levels are unlike end-of-year school exams, which can be moderated using weighted assessment results from earlier in the year. A prolonged wait will only add to students’ stress, not relieve it.

I suggest MOE consider a few possibilities.

Ensure examination halls are fully air-conditioned and equipped with air purifiers, so students can sit their papers in healthy conditions. Provide N95 masks for students to wear on their way to and from school. Offer special consideration for students who fall ill due to haze-related conditions, so that those affected are not disadvantaged.

These measures would help safeguard students’ health while giving them certainty and allowing them to complete their exams as planned.

Albert Foo