Suzy Davies MS – the Shadow Minister for Education, Skills and Welsh Language – has commented on the announcement today (December 16) on the examination system for general qualifications in 2021, saying:
“The details laid out by the Education Secretary is in line what we were expecting and hoping for, that is a combination of existing in-house assessments, some externally set but assessed in-house, and some externally set and externally marked. The element of external assurance is so important.
“It means there will consistency across Wales of the assessments pupils will sit, albeit at different times. It’s also important to maintain confidence in the impartiality of the system, thereby protecting teachers against accusations of unconscious bias, or because of a lack of training.”
Mrs Davies noted that pupils and students had suffered greatly during 2020, and praised their perseverance, and the dedication of their teachers and tutors, adding:
“There is of course much more detail to be added to this, including how appeals will be managed, how private candidates can access the assessment process, and – as papers will be sat at different times – what controls will be introduced to stifle any temptation for illicit sharing of papers between students in different schools.”
The Education Minister’s statement can be found here.
Help keep news FREE for our readers
Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism, then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle
