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25/05/2012
AQA Criticised For Jewish Prejudice Exam Question
An exam board has been criticised for a religious studies exam paper asking candidates to explain, "Why some people are prejudiced against Jews".
Education Secretary Michael Gove said to suggest anti-Semitism could ever be explained was "insensitive and, frankly, bizarre."
Stressing that it was not intended to cause offence exam board AQA said the question was not an attempt to justify prejudice.
But Mr Gove said: "AQA needs to explain how and why this question was included in an exam paper."
Exam regulator Ofqual is in discussions with AQA, one of Britain's biggest exam boards, and said it would take "follow-up action" if appropriate.
The controversial question was first reported in the Jewish Chronicle, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews Jon Benjamin told the newspaper: "Clearly this is unacceptable and has nothing whatsoever to do with Jews or Judaism."
But an AQA spokesman said in a statement: "In many exam questions 'explain' is used to mean 'give an account of'.
"For example, in the past we have asked students to explain why some people commit crimes, but we have not intended to suggest that we condone criminal activity.
"The question concerned acknowledges that some people are prejudiced, but we did not intend to imply in any way that prejudice is justified."
(H/GK)
Education Secretary Michael Gove said to suggest anti-Semitism could ever be explained was "insensitive and, frankly, bizarre."
Stressing that it was not intended to cause offence exam board AQA said the question was not an attempt to justify prejudice.
But Mr Gove said: "AQA needs to explain how and why this question was included in an exam paper."
Exam regulator Ofqual is in discussions with AQA, one of Britain's biggest exam boards, and said it would take "follow-up action" if appropriate.
The controversial question was first reported in the Jewish Chronicle, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews Jon Benjamin told the newspaper: "Clearly this is unacceptable and has nothing whatsoever to do with Jews or Judaism."
But an AQA spokesman said in a statement: "In many exam questions 'explain' is used to mean 'give an account of'.
"For example, in the past we have asked students to explain why some people commit crimes, but we have not intended to suggest that we condone criminal activity.
"The question concerned acknowledges that some people are prejudiced, but we did not intend to imply in any way that prejudice is justified."
(H/GK)
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