The COVID pandemic has affected people from all walks of life. One section of the society affected by the pandemic has been those aspiring to pursue studies and work abroad. Hundreds of applicants have been unable to take their international language proficiency exams which is a must when applying at universities overseas.
The number of candidates wanting to sit for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has been increasing every month. But the two institutes which carry out the exams have not been able to do so because of the pandemic.
The Institute for Management Studies Limited (IMS) is one of the test centres. They have not been able to conduct the exams since February last year. IMS normally hosts the examinations once a month. They say the certified examiners from India refuse to come because they do not want to spend 21 days under quarantine for less than a week’s time of work.
“Currently we have about 600 registered candidates willing to sit for the IELTS and if the government is able to open up and consider reducing the quarantine, I am sure we will be able to start at the earliest. As you can see the number of candidates to sit for the IELTS is increasing by the year and I can say that we are receiving a minimum of 20 inquiries per day,” said Ugyen Pelgen, the CEO of IMS.
He added most of the candidates who want to sit for the exams are fresh graduates and unemployed youths. “The graduates, especially the graduates missing out on a lot of opportunities in terms of pursuing their career, in terms of finding a livelihood and enhancing their career.”
He said some of the candidates are now travelling to Siliguri in India to take the tests. IMS says they do not know when the examinations will resume in the country. The Royal Institute of Management is the other organisation to conduct the exams. They did not want to speak on the matter.
Kinzang Lhadon
