23 October 2007
Commenting on Secretary of State, Ed Balls’ speech to the CBI, Steve Sinnott General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe’s largest teaching union said:
“The announcement of new subject-based Diplomas by Ed Balls represents a fundamental change of heart by Government. In effect, the Government is saying that Ruth Kelly’s 2004 decision to ditch Tomlinson’s 14-19 reform proposals was fundamentally wrong.
“I would urge the Government to go further. Waiting until 2013 to review the progress of the diplomas and their relative marketability with A levels will put them at a major disadvantage with higher education institutions, particularly the Russell Group of universities.
“If the invidious academic/vocational divide is to be bridged then the Government must commit itself to a staged incorporation of existing qualifications into the Diplomas.
“I urge the establishment of a 14-19 Council involving Government, agencies, universities and industry and parent, teacher and governor organisations to plan the transition to a single Diploma qualification.”
