There is an inherent contradiction at the heart of Michael Gove’s criticism of GCSEs, says NUT
Commenting on the proposals for GCSE reform in England announced by Michael Gove, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:
“There is certainly a need for a serious debate on the examination system, particularly in light of the school leaving age rising to 18. The premise for the Government’s changes however appears to be based on the rather spurious reason that too many pupils are succeeding.
“There is an inherent contradiction at the heart of Michael Gove’s criticism of GCSEs. On the one hand the Education Secretary demands ever higher pass rates, yet when this is achieved, claims that it can only have occurred due to examinations becoming too easy. This is a nonsensical approach. Parents and carers know how hard their children work for GCSEs and how ‘rigorous’ the exams are. Ministers need to recognise that it is through sheer hard work and determination that pupils and teachers are achieving great results.
“What is being proposed here is blatantly a two-tier system. Pupils who do not gain EBacc Certificates will receive a record of achievement which will most certainly be seen to be of far less worth by employers and colleges.
“Placing a cap on those who can gain top grades means that many students will miss out on the recognition and opportunities they deserve and harks back to a time when only a few were expected to go on to higher education.
“There needs to be serious engagement with the profession on the curriculum, in conjunction with engagement on assessment. Teachers are not mere ‘deliverers’ of knowledge but are there to inspire and motivate their students with a curriculum that is for everyone and not just for the few.
“In the 21st Century we need young people to take all the opportunities for education available to them. Setting up examination systems to ensure only a few succeed is counterproductive. Before any changes are made to the examination system they need to be thoroughly tried and tested, not rushed through to tie in with an election year. What is needed now is a thorough review of 14-19 education which successive governments have failed to do.”
END pr146-2012
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