Press Release

Secretary of State’s announcement on Diploma numbers in the first  year

21 May 2008

Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe’s largest teaching union said:

“The relatively small numbers of students taking Diplomas in the first year should come as no surprise. By setting an estimated 50,000 entrants the Government is culpable of overhyping the original, expected numbers.

“If the Diplomas were going to retain the quality and reliability expected of all qualifications then the numbers in the first year were always going to be much lower.

“There are two urgent actions which the Government must now take to bolster confidence in the Diploma. Firstly, it should designate the first round of Diplomas a pilot and if necessary be prepared to lengthen the period of time for the introduction of the next round.

“Secondly, it should make sure that there is no question about the equivalent value of Diplomas with GCSE, A levels and the International Bacculateate. If this alignment does not take place then Diplomas will be the victim of a pecking order of qualifications”.