NASUWT: No evidence that the exam system is broken
Commenting on the publication of the GCSE results, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, said:
“Congratulations must go out today to all the young people and teachers who have worked hard to achieve exam success.
“The results show a slight percentage drop in the A*-C pass rate. The Government may seek to claim that these changes are as a result of it 'toughening up ' on examinations because they were 'too easy' in the past. This is untrue, as the evidence from the exam boards and exam regulator shows.
“However, the Government should consider that it is unlikely to be long before there is clear evidence that its policies are affecting educational outcomes.
“The denigration of state schools, the drive for a narrow elitist curriculum, the removal of essential support for families, the erosion of educational entitlements for children and young people and the relentless attacks on teachers and the teaching profession will take their toll, undermining over a decade of year-on-year improvement in the achievements of young people and schools.
“Today’s results are especially significant in that they come just two months after the Secretary of State effectively declared them worthless by plotting to scrap GCSEs and return to an elitist, two-tier O-levels system.
“This is despite the fact that there is no evidence that the current examinations system is broken or that our qualifications trail behind those of other countries.
“With figures released yesterday showing an increase in the number of 16 to 18 year-olds not in education, work or training, the focus must be on ensuring that the achievements made today are not allowed to go to waste and that all young people can leave school provided with the opportunities to further their skills.
“Young people receiving their GCSE results today are facing an uncertain future and investment in jobs and skills must be the top priority.”
ENDS
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