At the British Council, the health and safety of all our visitors, staff and the communities in which we operate is our top priority. We support and cooperate with all local government agencies to put all necessary measures in place to ensure the continued well-being of all with whom we engage in the course of our operations. This post is to keep UK institutions updated on key South Asian markets amidst the Covid-19 outbreak.

For travel advice, please refer to FCO updates, and we would encourage institutions who are considering travelling to sign up for alerts - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also strongly encourage visiting local government health websites to stay abreast of the prevailing health advisory and precautionary measures in any country. For IELTS test arrangements as a result of Novel Coronavirus precautions, please see  https://www.ielts.org/news/2020/changes-to-ielts-test-arrangements-in-some-locations-due-to-novel-coronavirus. Though it's important to note the IELTS indicator has now been launched and regular IELTS testing has begun in some markets. Click here for more details.  

We are monitoring the situation very closely and will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. For more South Asia updates, webinars, market insights and other services in international higher education, please continue to visit the IES website.

Bangladesh:

Bangladesh resumed international flights after a gap of 3 months due to COVID-19, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh issued a statement on 19 July 2020 stating that travellers have to provide samples for Covid-19 testing 72 hours before their flights, while the testing facilities will have to deliver the reports 24 hours before flight departures. Some airlines may require passengers to carry a certificate confirming a negative test for COVID-19 on departure from Bangladesh (see 'Coronavirus' section). In addition to that not all commercial flights from Bangladesh are allowed to land in certain countries. It advised to see 'Entry requirements' section in the travel advice.

Education

• Since 17 March, all educational institutions have remained closed. More than 40 million students have lost their connection with their regular education and a large number of these students may never return to school due to the arising financial crisis.       
• The schedule for Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)/equivalent examination is yet to be declared by the Ministry of Education (MoE). Over a million students are expected to sit for HSC and its equivalent exams, which are expected to be held at over 9,000 educational institutions under eight general, one madrasa, and one technical education boards. The MoE has planned to reduce the number of higher secondary and equivalent examinations to quickly wrap up this year's academic session. The exams will be held 15 days after the situation in the country is under control.          
• All examinations including paper-based and computer-delivered IELTS tests have been cancelled since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. However, British Council Bangladesh has started taking IELTS tests under controlled environment keeping health and safety of its staffs and candidates as top priority.   
• Following government orders, local HE institutions have suspended all on-campus activities. Local private and public universities are closely following the government orders and they have urged their students to comply with government decisions. Some local universities have already developed formats for online deliveries and others are in the process. Exam formats have yet to be decided and permitted by the UGC. Exams and vivas may be postponed or held in different formats, which may delay the award of degrees.
• As per the Ministry of Education, the authorities of various schools and colleges may promote their students to their next classes on the basis of internal evaluation systems and without examinations but promotion will be an internal decision of each educational institution and any additional guidance or notice from the governmental authorities will not be required. The authorities of the institutions will need to take decisions and follow their own evaluation systems for promoting students to the next grade level without exams.
• As majority of educational institutions are running online classes, thereby, for the ease of students education ministry urged mobile operators to provide free internet packages.       
• International students aspiring to study in the UK are advised to stay in touch with the institution they are interested in studying at for the latest information and support. UK Visa Application Centres reopened on 12 July 2020. Applicants are advised to secure appointment before visiting VFS. Health and safety of staff and customers remain the first priority. More information are in the link.   

India

Travel

Domestic flights resumed in the country in early May after a gap of two months. Civil aviation ministry has extended the restriction on domestic flight till 24 November 2020 with 45% capacity. Commercial international flights are not yet operating and while the Aviation MInistry are reviewing proposals from various countries to form 'air corridors' nothing is confirmed yet.

Read more:

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/domestic-airfare-cap-extended-till-november-24-11595602535409.html
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/present-situation-of-india-domestic-flights-ticket-fares-schedule-6524210/

Schools

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) declared board exam result on 13 July and 10 July respectively. Both boards had cancelled their pending exams earlier and the results for subjects which were not tested are based on internal assessments.  

There are speculations that schools may reopen in September 2020, though that has not been confirmed yet, and online classes continue to be the exclusive mode of teaching and learning.

Higher Education

UGC panel that was formed earlier this year to suggest on conducting examinations had suggested final examinations be cancelled. Though it later directed universities hold final year exams by September. A petition was signed to not conduct these exams and further guidelines are awaited. UGC has so far not changed its stance on the matter.

https://indianexpress.com/article/education/special-exams-later-for-students-who-can-not-appear-in-september-ugc-to-sc-6530805/
https://www.ndtv.com/education/final-year-exam-online-petition-pm-modi-demands-withdrawal-of-ugc-guidelines-on-university-exams

It also recommends deferring new session for old students to October which was to start in July as per previous guidelines.

The New Education Policy has been approved by the Union Cabinet on 29 July 2020. The policy has introduced several changes in the Indian education system from school to college levels and paving a way for top foreign universities to come to India, and top Indian institutions to go global. Read more about it here.

IELTS testing has resumed in some cities. VACs too have started operating in some cities.

Read more

https://www.indiatvnews.com/education/higher-studies-ugc-guidelines-supreme-court-hearing-final-year-exams-university-grants-commission-petitions-637398

Pakistan

Government of Pakistan is continuing with smart lockdown imposed in most of its metropolitan area. It has earmarked 15^th August to lift the lockdown conditional to permission from health authorities.

Education:

• Ministry of Education, with its national and provincial representatives have decided to reopen educational institutions across the country from 15 September. This decision will be implemented in consultation with ministry of health and national coordination committee. Educational institutions in Pakistan have been closed since lockdown started in March.
• In its initiative to re-engineer the processes of education cycle, Higher Education Commission has released its guidelines to redesign the undergraduate programme. This step will ensure consequential change in the shape of the undergraduate programmes with more focus on developing diverse skillset and practical mode of learning through flexible curriculum.
• Universities continue to use online learning to conduct classes. Examinations before the reopening of universities are required by authorities to be conducted using strict health safety measures like face masks and gloves.
• Cambridge International has released its schedule of GCE session of October/November. The exams will start from October and end in mid-November.

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/07/16/sindh-extends-province-wide-lockdown-till-aug-15/
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2255997/punjab-govt-imposes-smart-lockdown-in-four-cities
https://www.dawn.com/news/1567886/schools-should-reopen-in-september-education-ministers-decide
https://www.dawn.com/news/1569004/hec-to-introduce-competency-based-undergraduate-education-framework
https://dailytimes.com.pk/635481/hec-announces-news-about-reopening-of-universities/
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2244015/cambridge-announces-schedule-o-level-exams

Nepal

Nepal Government lifted nationwide lockdown on 22^nd July. However, schools/colleges remain closed until further notice and resumption of flights and long-route transportation is only on 17 August.  There is also a limitation in public gathering. 

IELTS is resuming testing in Kathmandu in a maximum controlled approach with CDI dates open to public from 07 August onwards and PB IELTS from September onwards.

Sri Lanka

Most government and private sector institutions have now resumed operations and special guidelines are in place when using public transport, public areas and regarding workplace arrangements. The General Election is scheduled to take place on 05 August.  

Education

Schools across the country reopened for students in Grade 11, 12 and 13 on 27 July. All other grades will be reopened on Monday 10 August while adhering to strict health and safety measures issued by the Ministry of Education.

British Council has continued to expand its exam delivery including expansion of IELTS exams, resumption of professional and university examinations and registration for other exam sessions scheduled for later in the year. British Council has also begun limited face-to-face teaching at its Teaching Centre and has expanded its online library offer.

More details available at https://www.britishcouncil.lk/notices-government-and-health-authority-guidance

If you have any questions please write to Aatreyee Guha Thakurta (Regional Marketing and Communications Manager, International Education Services, South Asia).