NUT comment on GCSE reforms
Commenting on the proposed reforms to GCSEs, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:
“GCSEs have been a highly successful examination and the qualifications achieved by young people should not be undermined or demeaned by public statements made by ministers today. As Wales and Northern Ireland have no intention to change GCSEs, it is quite clear that this is a particular enthusiasm of this Government at this time.
“If there is to be reform of our examinations system it needs to be on the basis of proper in-depth discussion with the profession, informed by the best of all practice internationally. A terminal exam is not necessarily the right way to examine all subjects in all circumstances.
‘There is a balance to be struck between on-going assessment and final exams. In Finland, whose Education system is one of the most high achieving in the world, there is a heavy emphasis on student assessment and a significant amount of diagnostic or formative assessment takes place at classroom level.
“We all want children and young people to be well taught and to do the very best that they can. It is therefore vitally important that reforms are not rushed through without proper consideration. We would like the Secretary of State to have a longer consultation period to achieve a consensus on what we all want – the best possible exam system in which the greatest number of young people engage.”
ENDS
For further information contact Caroline Cowie on 0207 380 4706 or 07879480061
-01.png){kind=spacer}