Dubai: The winners of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature’s competitions for schools were recently honoured at several awards ceremonies at the Mohammad Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU).
The competitions the Oxford University Press (OUP) Story Writing Competition, The Chevron Readers’ Cup and the Montegrappa Letter Writing Competition allowed young people to show off their skills in story writing and letter composition.
Ahlam Bolooki, festival director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, said: “Schoolchildren have faced so many uncertainties this year, and I know the return of these competitions has been a welcome boost to morale. The competitions have become an annual highlight in the school calendar.”
They are taking IGCSEs and international A levels – the global equivalent of UK curriculum exams.
Regular GSCE and A-level summer tests were cancelled because of the Covid-19 crisis.
But the international versions hold several exams throughout the year and are able to continue, for now.
Gems Cambridge International School in Abu Dhabi from January 7 to 22 is holding exams for more than 300 pupils.
The safety and health of our staff and pupils is our main priority
Kelvin Hornsby, principal at Gems Cambridge International School
Everyone must take Covid-19 tests and undergo passport checks to prove they have not left the country in the 10 days prior to the examinations. The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge will also conduct spot checks.