IB Students In UAE Get Relief As Coursework Deadline Extended Amid Regional Conflict

The International Baccalaureate (IB) has extended the submission deadline for coursework from March 15 to April 15 for schools across the Middle East, as part of a series of support measures announced for students and families facing disruption due to regional conflicts.

The extension applies to IB schools across 12 countries: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, according to a statement issued on the organisation's website.

It said that it recognises that "many schools, students and families across the Middle East are currently facing extremely difficult and uncertain circumstances," adding that its thoughts are with everyone affected, including the many educators, students and families within the IB community.

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Beyond the deadline extension, the IB has introduced several other provisions for affected students. Learners now have the option to transfer registration to another IB World School, defer May 2026 examinations to a later session at no extra cost, or withdraw from the May 2026 session with a full refund.

The organisation has also released updated guidance to support teachers during this period, available via the IB's Programme Resource Centre. Inclusive Access Arrangements can be requested by schools for students impacted by current events.

"We remain in close contact with IB schools and regional IB associations and are committed to supporting them during this period," the organisation stated. "Our immediate focus is on supporting schools with the completion and submission of coursework and early assessment components. At the same time, we are reviewing the potential implications of the current situation and what this may mean more broadly".

These measures are being provided in line with the IB's Adverse Circumstances policy, which sets out available mitigations where students are affected by serious, unforeseen events during the assessment period.

This comes just days after the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) cancelled the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations across the UAE due to heightened geopolitical tensions in the region. The decision affects examinations that were originally scheduled between March 2 and April 6, 2026. According to the council, the results will be determined through an alternative assessment mechanism, the details of which will be shared later.

Earlier the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) cancelled its Class 10 board exams and postponed several Class 12 exams for the same reason.

CBSE cites students' 'mental agony', postpones Class 12 board exams in UAE until March 16 CBSE cancels class 10 board exams in UAE, Gulf; class 12 test postponed

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