SC and HSC Exams Postponed as Mauritius Talks With Cambridge

School Certificate (SC) and Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations in Mauritius have been postponed, with discussions currently underway between Mauritian authorities and Cambridge Assessment International Education to determine new dates.

The SC and HSC are the two most important public examinations in the Mauritian education system. The SC, taken at the end of secondary school (around age 16), and the HSC, taken two years later (around age 18), are both administered in partnership with Cambridge Assessment International Education, the global arm of the University of Cambridge that oversees standardised qualifications in over 160 countries. Results from these exams determine university entrance and career pathways for thousands of Mauritian students each year.

The postponement comes against the backdrop of a curfew imposed across Mauritius following a wave of civil unrest, looting, and violence that swept parts of the island. The government declared emergency measures, and the disruption to daily life has made it impossible to proceed with the examinations as scheduled.

As of now, no new dates have been confirmed. Discussions between the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES), the local body that organises national exams, and Cambridge are described as ongoing. Any rescheduling must account for the international coordination required, as Cambridge sets and marks portions of these papers.

For students, this uncertainty adds significant stress on top of an already difficult period. Tens of thousands of candidates sit SC and HSC exams each year, and a delay affects not only their preparation but also the academic calendar for universities, both locally at the University of Mauritius and abroad, where many students apply based on predicted or confirmed results.

Parents and students are advised to monitor official communications from the Ministry of Education and the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate for confirmed rescheduled dates.

What this means: If you or your child is a registered SC or HSC candidate, the exams will not go ahead on their original dates. There is no need to sit an exam centre on the originally scheduled day. Wait for an official announcement from the MES or the Ministry of Education before making any plans. The delay does not affect candidate registration, and students are not expected to re-register.

Source: Le Défi Media