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Newspaper alleges Welsh exam board WJEC broke rules WJEC staff suspended amid claims they gave teachers 'unfair advice'
(about 3 hours later)
Wales' education minister has demanded immediate answers from Welsh examining board the WJEC after allegations its examiners broke rules during seminars. The WJEC (Welsh Joint Education Committee) has suspended two examiners amid claims some of its examiners gave teachers unfair advice on upcoming GCSEs questions.
The Daily Telegraph claims teachers in England were advised on the precise topics of future exam questions. href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/secondaryeducation/8940781/Exam-boards-how-examiners-tip-off-teachers-to-help-students-pass.html" >The Daily Telegraph said it had filmed an examiner telling teachers at a paid-for seminar which questions to expect.
Undercover reporters went to 13 meetings run by exam boards used in English schools, including the WJEC. Welsh education minister Leighton Andrews has demanded answers from the WJEC where an inquiry is under way.
The WJEC says its systems are rigorous and its seminars are by no means secretive. The exam board said it is now considering redrafting exam papers.
href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/secondaryeducation/8940781/Exam-boards-how-examiners-tip-off-teachers-to-help-students-pass.html" >The Daily Telegraph said all the examining boards involved had promised to investigate the matter. The newspaper sent undercover reporters to 13 professional development seminars organised by boards used by English schools, where the Welsh exam board has become more popular in recent years.
It alleged that teachers, who paid up to £200 a day to attend, were "routinely" given information about future exams, including questions, syllabus areas to focus on and even the specific words or facts students must use to win marks. It alleges that during these seminars, which cost around £120, teachers were given unfair information.
One examiner from the WJEC was recorded apparently admitting that what he was doing was cheating. They claim they were "routinely" given details about future exams including questions, syllabus areas to focus on, and even the specific words or facts students must use to win marks.
Derec Stockley, director or examinations at the WJEC, told BBC Wales he was worried by the apparent use of words such as "cheating" and "off the record" by the examiner, which in his view was unwise. It filmed a named WJEC examiner at one such seminar on GCSE history telling teachers that a compulsory question in the exam "goes through a cycle" or a pattern of questions.
He said the WJEC would be conducing an urgent inquiry with the examiners involved. He gives the subjects for the upcoming exam, adding: "We're cheating, we're telling you the cycle. Probably the regulator will tell us off."
In a statement, the WJEC said its management of examinations was "rigorous and undertaken in accordance with strict regulatory guidance". Derec Stockley, director or examinations at the WJEC, told BBC Wales: "We are very concerned about those comments... and we'll take the investigation very seriously, both with Ofqual in England, and the ministers, civil servants here in Wales."
"Most of the issues raised by the Telegraph's anonymous reporters relate to an incomplete understanding of the generic advice on teaching approaches given in good faith at professional development sessions with the aim of enhancing students' appreciation of the subjects studied and their assessment," said the examining board. In England, UK government education secretary Michael Gove has ordered an inquiry into England's exam system in light of the Telegraph's revelations.
"WJEC's professional development courses are by no means 'secretive'. The information given at the courses is freely available on WJEC's public website in order to make sure that no teachers or their students are disadvantaged by teachers being unable to attend the courses themselves." In a statement to the Telegraph, the WJEC said the seminars confirmed longstanding guidance that had been issued to teachers since 2008.
Explaining the information given to teachers at such seminars, Mr Stockley added: "Advice on the notification of the issues to be assessed in examinations is often given while emphasising the importance of covering all necessary topic areas.
"The advice is available in the WJEC GCSE history teachers' guide. Educationally, we would say you teach the whole course."
"WJEC's professional development courses are by no means 'secretive'.
"The information given at the courses is freely available on WJEC's public website in order to make sure that no teachers or their students are disadvantaged by teachers being unable to attend the courses themselves."
Allegations of malpracticeAllegations of malpractice
The Welsh government said it was aware of the allegations and Education Minister Leighton Andrews had demanded immediate answers from the WJEC. A Welsh government spokesman said: "As the qualifications regulator for Wales, the Welsh government takes seriously all allegations of malpractice."
"As the qualifications regulator for Wales, the Welsh government takes seriously all allegations of malpractice," a spokesperson said.
"We work with the regulators in England (Ofqual) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) to ensure that qualifications give a fair and reliable indication of knowledge, skills and understanding so that the public can have confidence in the qualifications system."We work with the regulators in England (Ofqual) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) to ensure that qualifications give a fair and reliable indication of knowledge, skills and understanding so that the public can have confidence in the qualifications system.
"The regulators are liaising with each other and the awarding organisations concerned to get a fuller picture of what has happened and will then take any appropriate action promptly and consistently across the three countries.""The regulators are liaising with each other and the awarding organisations concerned to get a fuller picture of what has happened and will then take any appropriate action promptly and consistently across the three countries."
The Welsh government said if there was evidence of malpractice the regulators would "work together to take action".
UK Education Secretary Michael Gove has ordered an inquiry in England.