Academic year begins with Edexcel syllabus for A-Levels
Deputy Minister of Education said Cambridge A' Levels could not be started because there were some things yet to do in preparation.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
The government has deferred the implementation of last year's decision to introduce the Cambridge syllabus for A-Level exams this academic year too, and the Edexcel syllabus will continue to be taught like before.
The Ministry of Education in August last year decided to switch to the Cambridge syllabus for A-levels with the new academic year in August. The ministry had announced that this year's A Level examination will be held in Cambridge standards. However, the ministry has now changed its mind and decided to continue the previously taught Edexcel syllabus.
Deputy Minister of Education who heads the Department of Public Examination (DPE) Mohamed Ihusan told Atoll Times on Friday evening that they did not begin this academic year with the Cambridge syllabus because there were some things yet to do in preparation. Therefore, when schools reopened after the holidays this August, teaching started in the Edexcel syllabus and schools have been informed accordingly, he said.
"A-level is conducted by the same Edexcel syllabus. When the A-level academic year [academic year] started this year, it was decided to change [the syllabus to Cambridge]. However, it has not been changed yet”.
When asked why the ministry changed its mind, Ihusan said:
-
Cambridge has some requirements that need to be met
-
After taking these factors into consideration, it was decided that the syllabus should not be changed for the time being; to continue in the Edexcel syllabus as before
"Practical examination is mandatory during the Cambridge assessments. They [Cambridge] could not agree to switch to alternative practical papers instead of practicals themselves. There are many such reasons," Ihusan said.
"For the time being, the decision will not be implemented. This year's new batch of A-level students started their syllabus with Edexcel”.
Asked why the ministry decided to move the A-level examination to Cambridge last year, Ihusan said the decision was taken after considering many options and it was believed to be the best option at the time.
