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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Northern Ireland exam system: No case for change | Northern Ireland exam system: No case for change |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| There is no case for replacing A-levels or GCSEs in Northern Ireland in the short or medium term, a report has suggested. | There is no case for replacing A-levels or GCSEs in Northern Ireland in the short or medium term, a report has suggested. |
| But the review acknowledged the need for a long-term vision for learning, assessment and qualifications. | But the review acknowledged the need for a long-term vision for learning, assessment and qualifications. |
| Education Minister John O'Dowd commissioned the review following a plan to change the exams in England. | Education Minister John O'Dowd commissioned the review following a plan to change the exams in England. |
| Mr O'Dowd presented the review findings to the assembly and has opened a consultation process. | Mr O'Dowd presented the review findings to the assembly and has opened 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). |
| 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 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. |
| Learners | Learners |
| Mr O'Dowd told the assembly he was pleased with the report. | Mr O'Dowd told the assembly he was pleased with the report. |
| "This an important piece of work and provides an unprecedented opportunity to set out our own stall for learners here. | "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 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." | "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." |
| The report proposed that GCSEs and A-levels remain as they are, but there will be discussions about those names. | The report proposed that GCSEs and A-levels remain as they are, but there will be discussions about those names. |
| Pupils will still be tested periodically as well as at the end of the courses and coursework will still count towards the final result. | Pupils will still be tested periodically as well as at the end of the courses and coursework will still count towards the final result. |
| The review also said consideration should be given to streamlining GCSE English and English language. | The review also said consideration should be given to streamlining GCSE English and English language. |
| It recommended a new mathematics qualifications and a new IT course. | It recommended a new mathematics qualifications and a new IT course. |
| The Ulster Teachers' Union urged Mr O'Dowd to take on board feedback from teachers during his consultation. | |
| Avril Hall Callaghan said its biggest concern was that Northern Ireland pupils "should not be disadvantaged by any changes". | |
| "The education secretary in Westminster, Michael Gove, has also proposed swingeing changes to the system there, so we are facing a period of upheaval and it is vital that our young people should not suffer as a result," she said. | |
| "Northern Ireland has traditionally produced some of the UK's top performing students and any changes to the system must ensure this gold standard remains." | |
| President of the NUS-USI student movement Rebecca Hall expressed reservations about the planned removal of second re-sit opportunities. | |
| "This could have a very negative impact upon people's ability to fulfil their potential and have access to the widest possible range of opportunities," she said. | |
| "We do, however, recognise that the minister is ensuring a high degree of consistency in the qualifications. | |
| "We also recognise the fact that this announcement today, in cementing the future of these qualifications, will hopefully help retain their integrity and portability. " | |
| In June, Westminster Education Secretary Michael Gove announced an overhaul of GCSEs in England, which would move from coursework to exams at the end of two years. | In June, Westminster Education Secretary Michael Gove announced an overhaul of GCSEs in England, which would move from coursework to exams at the end of two years. |
| Mr Gove proposed that the changes should come in from 2015. |