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NI education minister sets out GCSE and A-Level exams future Northern Ireland exam system: No case for change
(35 minutes later)
Education minister John O'Dowd is due to set out the future for GCSE and A-levels in Northern Ireland later. There is no case for replacing A-levels or GCSEs in Northern Ireland in the short or medium term, a report has suggested.
He will present the findings of a review to the Assembly on Monday and open a consultation process. But the review acknowledged the need for a long-term vision for learning, assessment and qualifications.
Education Secretary Michael Gove has already announced significant changes to the qualifications in England. Education Minister John O'Dowd is setting out the future for GCSE and A-levels at Stormont.
It is understood the NI review recommends keeping GCSEs and A-levels, but the names of the exams may change. He is presenting the findings of a review to the assembly and opening a consultation process.
The review was conducted by the Northern Ireland examinations board, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).The review was conducted by the Northern Ireland examinations board, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).
The BBC understands that the review will recommend that consideration be given to combining GCSE English and English Language, to developing a new GCSE mathematics qualification and to introducing a specialised Information Technology course. It made 49 recommendations ranging from short-term changes to GCSEs and A-levels, to exploring the use of the GCSE and A-level brand alongside England and Wales.
It is understood that modular testing will continue but students will only have one re-sit opportunity. But it said there was no case for replacing the examinations in the short or medium term, but pointed to a need for a longer term vision.
While no big structural changes are expected in the short term, the system will look different to the one in England. Mr O'Dowd, who commissioned the review, told the assembly he was pleased with the report.
A new method of testing GCSE and A-level subjects at the end of two years will be phased in from autumn 2015. "This an important piece of work and provides an unprecedented opportunity to set out our own stall for learners here.
"The recommendations articulate what we should do to improve the life chances of our young people.
"The report allows us to pro-actively determine what is right for us in the context of our own curriculum and to align our qualifications to our curriculum in the interests of all learners."
Education Secretary Michael Gove has already announced significant changes to the qualifications in England.