We are IB students from the Middle East asking the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to reconsider requiring students in our region to sit the May 2026 examinations under the current circumstances.

Students across United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iran, Palestine, and Iraq are living in a region affected by ongoing conflict, instability, and geopolitical tension. Airspace restrictions, travel disruptions, and constant uncertainty are affecting daily life across the region.

Even for those not in areas directly impacted by violence, the atmosphere of anxiety, fear, and distraction makes it extremely difficult to prepare for one of the most demanding academic programs in the world. IB exams are already highly stressful, and expecting students in our region to perform at their best under these conditions places them at a clear disadvantage compared to students in more stable environments.

The issue is not simply whether exams can physically take place, but whether students can realistically prepare for them at the level required. Many students are struggling to focus on studying because of constant stress, safety concerns, and regional instability.

We are not necessarily asking for the May 2026 exams to be cancelled worldwide. We are asking the IB to recognize that students in the Middle East are not working under normal conditions. Fair alternatives could include a non-exam route based on coursework, internal assessments, and predicted grades, adjusted grade boundaries, or region-specific policies for affected countries.

The IB values fairness, international-mindedness, and student wellbeing. We ask the IBO to uphold these values by reconsidering the May 2026 examinations for students in the Middle East and implementing fair alternatives that reflect the reality we are facing.