Menu
15/01/2016
English GCSE Exam Providers To Stop Offering Exams In NI
English GCSE exam providers are to stop offering their exams in Northern Ireland.
Ulster Unionist education spokesperson Sandra Overend said the move is "inevitable", after Education Minister John O'Dowd's decision not to follow changes to the grading system.
Mrs Overend said she warned that it could lead to a situation where the open market for GCSEs could be ended.
Mrs Overend said: "With the decision of the English exam boards to discontinue offering their exams here, this is exactly what is happening. Effectively an unhealthy and uncompetitive monopoly is being created for the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA) in exam provision here.
"It looks to me that there has been a deliberate decision taken by a politically motivated Minister, to drive the big English providers out of the local exam market. He is clearly not disappointed by the exam boards' decision at all, and has left schools in a very difficult position, in terms of the GCSE courses they can offer their students.
"In November, whilst the DUP welcomed the Sinn Fein decision to retain the alphabetical grading system, the Ulster Unionist Party warned of the consequences. For 3 years we have consistently stated that it was imperative that we retain parity with England in GCSE grading. The decision to break parity and retain the alphabetical grading system was wrong, and our students are going to be disadvantaged."
(CD/MH)
Ulster Unionist education spokesperson Sandra Overend said the move is "inevitable", after Education Minister John O'Dowd's decision not to follow changes to the grading system.
Mrs Overend said she warned that it could lead to a situation where the open market for GCSEs could be ended.
Mrs Overend said: "With the decision of the English exam boards to discontinue offering their exams here, this is exactly what is happening. Effectively an unhealthy and uncompetitive monopoly is being created for the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA) in exam provision here.
"It looks to me that there has been a deliberate decision taken by a politically motivated Minister, to drive the big English providers out of the local exam market. He is clearly not disappointed by the exam boards' decision at all, and has left schools in a very difficult position, in terms of the GCSE courses they can offer their students.
"In November, whilst the DUP welcomed the Sinn Fein decision to retain the alphabetical grading system, the Ulster Unionist Party warned of the consequences. For 3 years we have consistently stated that it was imperative that we retain parity with England in GCSE grading. The decision to break parity and retain the alphabetical grading system was wrong, and our students are going to be disadvantaged."
(CD/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 September 2023
Sunak Slammed For Net-Zero U-Turn
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has criticised Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's u-turn on the action needed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions as "cynical opportunism dressed up as difficult decision making".
Sunak Slammed For Net-Zero U-Turn
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has criticised Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's u-turn on the action needed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions as "cynical opportunism dressed up as difficult decision making".
11 May 2016
Call For Full Investigation To Be Carried Out Over Western Trust Underspend
The SDLP is calling for a full investigation to be carried out after figures revealed an underspend on learning disability in the Western Trust area. Foyle MLA, Mark H Durkan, said while the latest revelation was "shocking" it came as "no huge surprise". He said: "Answers are important but we're also demanding action be taken.
Call For Full Investigation To Be Carried Out Over Western Trust Underspend
The SDLP is calling for a full investigation to be carried out after figures revealed an underspend on learning disability in the Western Trust area. Foyle MLA, Mark H Durkan, said while the latest revelation was "shocking" it came as "no huge surprise". He said: "Answers are important but we're also demanding action be taken.
23 August 2018
GCSE Results On The Rise In NI
Around 30,000 students across Northern Ireland have received their GCSE results today, 23 August, resulting in a 0.7% rise in passing grades A*-C. Approximately 81.1% of NI GCSE entries secured passing grades with around 10% receiving the top A* grade. The performance gap widened between boys and girls with 85.
GCSE Results On The Rise In NI
Around 30,000 students across Northern Ireland have received their GCSE results today, 23 August, resulting in a 0.7% rise in passing grades A*-C. Approximately 81.1% of NI GCSE entries secured passing grades with around 10% receiving the top A* grade. The performance gap widened between boys and girls with 85.
24 August 2017
Small Increase In GCSE Grades
There has been a small increase across GCSE grades in Northern Ireland this year. Almost 80% of pupils achieved A* - C grades and girls continued to perform better than boys. However, there was a slight improvement in males achieving A* - C grades.
Small Increase In GCSE Grades
There has been a small increase across GCSE grades in Northern Ireland this year. Almost 80% of pupils achieved A* - C grades and girls continued to perform better than boys. However, there was a slight improvement in males achieving A* - C grades.
14 August 2006
CCEA set up exam helpline
Northern Ireland’s exams body, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), has set up a special helpline service to support anxious students and parents awaiting GCE, GCSE and A and AS Level exam results, which are due to be released over the next few weeks.
CCEA set up exam helpline
Northern Ireland’s exams body, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), has set up a special helpline service to support anxious students and parents awaiting GCE, GCSE and A and AS Level exam results, which are due to be released over the next few weeks.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
