UAE pupils celebrate success in GCSEs despite disruption caused by Iran war

Pupils and school staff in the UAE have celebrated their success in this year's GCSE exams, despite the disruption caused by the Iran war. The academic year saw significant interruptions as schools vacated classrooms and switched to remote learning at the outbreak of the conflict in early March. After the war subsided, they returned to in-person teaching later in the year.

Rebecca Gray, chief education officer of education group Taaleem, noted that students showed remarkable maturity by remaining focused and determined throughout this challenging year. The resilience and strength demonstrated by the students make their achievements even more meaningful. At Gems Education, where over 4,250 pupils received 30,000 results, Lisa Crausby, group chief education officer, emphasized that the achievements speak not only to academic success but also to character.

The students have shown focus, determination, and real resilience in the face of uncertainty and challenge, earning 30 percent A* grades and nearly half the cohort, 48 percent, receiving A-A* grades. Even at Jebel Ali School in Dubai, 38 percent of students achieved A* grades. Head of year Joshua Missen expressed pride in how students conducted themselves through the year, acknowledging the challenges and uncertainty, but also their maturity, positivity, and willingness to support one another.