UK might drop GCSEs and A-Levels from its education policy
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School exams 'likely to be dropped'
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GCSEs and A-Levels were likely to be replaced with a new diploma amid mounting pressure from schools and colleges to drop them, according to the head of Ofsted.
David Bell said that "practice might outstrip policy" despite the Government's insistence they are here to stay.
Education Secretary Ruth Kelly controversially rejected proposals by the former chief inspector of schools, Sir Mike Tomlinson, to replace GCSEs and A-Levels with a new continental-style diploma.
She announced the "gold standard" qualifications would stay and instead proposed a system of mainly vocational diplomas to run alongside existing exams.
But Mr Bell said many schools and colleges were now working together to set up courses that better reflected students' interests, in line with Sir Mike's proposals.
He told The Times: "I just wonder if this is a good example of where practice might outstrip policy. If you go to schools and colleges they are beginning to do more of the things that were envisaged.
"The Secretary of State has quite categorically said GCSE and A-Level are there, but three years down the line how does the qualifications structure fit with the practice?"
Mr Bell's comments mirror those of England's exams chief Ken Boston. Earlier this month he said A-Levels would disappear within the next 10 years.
Dr Boston, chief executive of exams watchdog the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, predicted a new diploma system would replace A-Levels as the 'natural' qualification for people to take.
However, despite the predictions, Ms Kelly on Tuesday underlined her insistence that the exams would not be swept away. She reportedly told political journalists at a Westminster lunch: "The education world can sometimes cloud the debate and give the wrong impression. A-Levels and GCSEs are here to stay." -
Good wat next time no need ang moh mark paper. locals mark get higher marks
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yea i knew it quite some time back
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we are going to get our entry proof straight after hoildays.A sad reminder that the exams are not far away
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I think Ang Mohs mark better. They are lenient I believe.Originally posted by YummyGummy:Good wat next time no need ang moh mark paper. locals mark get higher marks -
They are able to be less inclined to mark according to Ministry guidelines and instead mark according to their discretion, especially for General Paper and Literature.Fair and it allows for creative writing and essays having controversial stance in their own nations might get a fair read.Originally posted by ne0matrix:I think Ang Mohs mark better. They are lenient I believe. -
maybe they got better experience
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Haizz.....
Degree gonna depreciate in value
everywhere everyone are degree holders
why the fuk do u spend 15years in education
to get something worthless ?
so what? PHD masters are the next minumum requriments?
Haizz...education is one stupid thing in Singapore
Shld cut down
primary school to 4 years,
secondary to 3 years
Increase specialization
jc/poly/uni to 3-5years
Urghhhhhhh,........... Now looking back at my primary sch day
teacher teach crap... waste my 6 years of youth
nah beh.... -
local examiners are the killer ones. they are the ones who mark the paper as strict as possible, without any form of compassion.