The Honourable Brian Warr, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, announced today that public exams for this school year are cancelled. The purpose of public exams is to test all curriculum outcomes for the full school year.
The department has been in ongoing discussions with the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District and Conseil scolaire francophone provincial de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador, and in consultation, has determined that final exams for all high school and intermediate courses will also be cancelled.
Students will receive a grade to reflect their work to March 13, the final day of classes prior to schools being closed due to the pandemic. This mark will be communicated to students by April 22; however, students will be given every opportunity to continue their learning.
The school districts have developed continuity of learning plans which involve teacher support and the use of online learning platforms. Grades can be adjusted if it is to the student’s advantage. If at some point school resumes, the time remaining will be used for instruction rather than writing exams. The school districts will provide further information directly to schools and families.
Discussions have been held with the province’s public post-secondary institutions regarding entrance requirements for the September 2020 term and the process for determining scholarship requirements. Both Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic recognize the need for flexibility so that students are not disadvantaged when applying for post-secondary studies.
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For general inquiries related to government services, please call 1-833-771-0696 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday or email covid19info@gov.nl.ca any time.
Quotes
“These are challenging times for our students, educators and families. It requires us to look at new ways to give our students every possible advantage to succeed. Much work has been done with our education partners to ensure that resources are available and opportunities exist for learning to continue. I commend educators across the province for their efforts that will benefit our students.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The cancellation of exams does not mean that learning is ending or that the school year is over. The continuity of learning plans, which enables connections with teachers and access to online learning platforms, will help address any gaps in learning and give students the opportunity to improve their grades. This is particularly important for graduating students. While exams are cancelled, learning continues.”
Honourable Brian Warr
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
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Media contacts
Jeremy Reynolds
Office of the Premier
709-729-3558
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca
Tina Coffey
Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-1906, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca