The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA) has opened a public consultation asking for views on proposed changes to Summer 2021 GCSE and A-Level plans.
Education boards across the UK have come under fire recently for their mishandling of the GCSE and A-Level results this year, with many students across the UK getting results that didn't match their projected outcomes. The problem started with exams for 2020 being cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak, and the education boards now have to plan for 2021.
CCEA has now launched a public consultation on a set of proposed changes to Northern Ireland's GCSE and A-Level qualifications for the Summer 2021 period. The changes are designed to account for the reduction in direct teaching contact time for students this year due to the coronavirus outbreak, and also consider what potential restrictions might be in place during the term and exam time.
The consultation is open to the public and asks interested parties to comment on a list of potential changes to next year's assessments. The focus of the consultation is on reducing teh burden of assessment on students and maintaining student wellbeing in the face of Covid-19, while still "upholding the integrity of the qualifications in Summer 2021." Head over to the consultation website before Monday 7th September at 5PM to give your views.
Education Minister Peter Weir commented on the consultation: "Young people preparing to take exams and assessments in 2021, and their parents, carers and teachers, are concerned about the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on their education. Today, CCEA has launched its proposals for changes to exams and assessments next year which take account of the disruption to date and potential for on-going public health safeguards. These changes are designed to free up teaching time, reduce pressure on students and allow assessments to be undertaken within current public health restrictions."
Source: Written based on press release
