There is no way to predict a crisis; otherwise it wouldn’t be a crisis. Whenever a pandemic breaks out, it is bound to devastate economies and claim thousands of lives. While the primary debate across the globe centres on healthcare and developments in medicine, many of us are more concerned with how the virus affects our own lives.

Princeton University in America was the first major university in the world to send all its students home and offer courses online. Many other institutions followed the example; first the universities, and then K-12 schools.

In UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered a similar policy, closing all schools and cancelling all examinations, including the Cambridge International O levels and A levels.

The cancellation of examinations was not something most of the students looked forward to. Most had spent months preparing. The cancellation heralds a year of confusion and anxiety as the Cambridge board itself seems clueless about what will happen next.

A teacher from Aitchison College told The News on Sunday, “It is really shameful to see that the Cambridge University has no back-up plan. However, I think they are doing the best they can.”

Another teacher, however, was of the opinion that the Cambridge University was being unfair to students.

“There’s no two ways about it: our future is in jeopardy,” said Rafae Bashir, a student in his final year of O levels.

Most parents, meanwhile, seemed more concerned about the health and wellbeing of their families. “You people are young. The virus is unlikely to affect you that much. It may annoy you a little as it changes the academic schedules, but it is no more than that for you. Young people will still find success in their lives. My main worry right now is the health of my ailing mother. She had to go the hospital almost on a monthly basis even before this crisis started,” said a friend’s father.

The examinations are an aspect of life. This pandemic is being called a once-in-a-century crisis. So, we must try to get through it with patience.

Many schools have chosen to move over to online learning. Aitchison College is even planning to hold mock examinations from June.

Online teaching has become a hot topic on social media. Several universities are being heavily criticised for failing to take into account the many resources online classes require. This includes having a good internet connection.

Perhaps the best thing at this point would be to halt the educational activities temporarily instead of increasing the prevalent confusion.