This has been an unprecedented year for schools, students and educators all over the world. The global disruptions to education due to the pandemic have had an impact on schools, educators and students worldwide. In this story, we spoke with IB World School TNS Beaconhouse in Lahore, Pakistan about the challenges they had to overcome to conduct the retakes for the MYP eAssessment in November.
This has been an unprecedented year for schools, students and educators all over the world. The global disruptions as an aftereffect of the pandemic, to education and learning processes, have touched the lives of millions of educators and students worldwide. This has presented a complex challenge that the IB community has had to face together.
IB World School TNS Beaconhouse in Lahore, Pakistan spoke with us this month to discuss the protocols and best practices they applied to conduct retakes for the MYP eAssessment in November. They found success by staying organized and putting student and educator well-being at the forefront. The exercise has given them the experience they will need heading into the 2021 exam session.
One of the most significant challenges TNS Beaconhouse had to tackle was to ensure that all Covid-19 (Coronavirus) standard operating procedures were followed. Considering government mandates and local conditions was essential for ensuring the safety of students and invigilators. The school followed all social distancing protocols even managing to have volunteers physically present during the examinations.
“Firstly, we ensured that our students arrived at the exam venue on the correct date and time, considering that parents were reluctant in terms of COVID-19 SOP’s and arrangements”, commented Hina Fakhar Chaudhry, the MYP coordinator at TNS Beaconhouse. She continued, “school management ensured the health and safety of students and staff involved. The teachers made themselves available beyond their working hours to facilitate the students virtually and conduct practice e-assessments. They prepared revision packs for them to get in the momentum and the spirit of assessments.”
“Having assessments does provide students and parents with an end goal to which they look forward as an achievement of their learning. It’s also considered as a tool for self-evaluation”, added Hina Fakhar Chaudhry.
TNS Beaconhouse was able to administer the examinations successfully due to the thorough and detailed planning in combination with effective communication. Supporting and communicating with parents and students before and during the examination session, whilst synchronizing the actions of educators, school leaders and invigilators in accordance to Covid-19 measures are at the core of the school’s success.
Chaudhry also shared insights from parents and students on this unique examination experience: “The students and families were anxious before the assessments, however, they shared positive feedback once the assessments concluded”.
“Keep the morale of your team high, empower them, provide them assistance and support and most importantly think positively. Try to blend in with this new norm and rather than looking at the limitations, capitalize on the opportunities and alternatives. Keep margin for flexibility and have a PLAN B for emergencies”.
The November 2020 retakes gave the school the advantage of preparing for the May 2021 examination session. Although the number of students will be significantly increased, the experience the school had with the November 2020 examination session, provided them with invaluable insights.
When it comes to managing assessments during a global crisis, Chaudry had this advice: “Keep the morale of your team high, empower them, provide them assistance and support and most importantly think positively. Try to blend in with this new norm and rather than looking at the limitations, capitalize on the opportunities and alternatives. Keep margin for flexibility and have a PLAN B for emergencies”. Finally, amid all of the changes, “provide a consistent support link for parents and students”.
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