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Leighton Andrews rules out returning to O-level exams | Leighton Andrews rules out returning to O-level exams |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Education Minister Leighton Andrews has said Wales will not return to O-levels after reports changes were being planned in England. | |
UK Education Secretary Michael Gove is considering scrapping GCSEs and returning to O-level style exams. | UK Education Secretary Michael Gove is considering scrapping GCSEs and returning to O-level style exams. |
"I think it's a bonkers way of proceeding," Mr Andrews told BBC Wales. "GCSEs are a very good qualification and well respected". | |
A Welsh government review of the qualification system is underway. | |
Sources have told the BBC that Mr Gove believes GCSEs "have gone beyond the point of rescue". | |
In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Mr Andrews added: "We certainly won't be bringing back O-levels. | |
"What we want is a qualification system that is easily understood by parents, students and people in business. | "What we want is a qualification system that is easily understood by parents, students and people in business. |
'Rigorous' | 'Rigorous' |
"I really think the right way to do these things is to review them rigorously and not to make announcements in order to capture newspaper headlines." | "I really think the right way to do these things is to review them rigorously and not to make announcements in order to capture newspaper headlines." |
The changes being considered by Mr Gove, which could be brought in for pupils from autumn 2014, would amount to the biggest change to the exams system for a generation. | The changes being considered by Mr Gove, which could be brought in for pupils from autumn 2014, would amount to the biggest change to the exams system for a generation. |
Less academic pupils would sit a different "more straightforward" exam, like the old CSE. | Less academic pupils would sit a different "more straightforward" exam, like the old CSE. |
The details are in a leaked document seen by the Daily Mail which sources say are broadly correct. | The details are in a leaked document seen by the Daily Mail which sources say are broadly correct. |
Mr Andrews said making announcements through newspapers was a "bonkers way of proceeding". | Mr Andrews said making announcements through newspapers was a "bonkers way of proceeding". |
He said Mr Gove does not have the power to make decisions about qualifications in Wales, adding that the Welsh government owns the GCSE brand. | He said Mr Gove does not have the power to make decisions about qualifications in Wales, adding that the Welsh government owns the GCSE brand. |
"We will make our own decisions in our own time on the basis of evidence supplied to us," Mr Andrews said. | "We will make our own decisions in our own time on the basis of evidence supplied to us," Mr Andrews said. |
A review commissioned by the Welsh government is asking whether major changes should be made to the qualifications system for teenagers. | A review commissioned by the Welsh government is asking whether major changes should be made to the qualifications system for teenagers. |
It is consulting on whether completely new qualifications for 14 to 16-year-olds should replace GCSEs or whether Wales should follow what happens in England. | It is consulting on whether completely new qualifications for 14 to 16-year-olds should replace GCSEs or whether Wales should follow what happens in England. |
It is also looking at a significant cut to the number of qualifications on offer. At the moment, about 6,500 are taught in schools and colleges out of a potential 11,400. | It is also looking at a significant cut to the number of qualifications on offer. At the moment, about 6,500 are taught in schools and colleges out of a potential 11,400. |