Press Release

THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON 14-19 QUALIFICATIONS PUBLISHED TODAY

31 MARCH 2008

Steve Sinnott, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe’s largest teaching union said:

“There is every argument for bringing vocational qualifications into the diploma structure. I therefore urge the Secretary of State to take the obvious next step, which is to also incorporate the current GCSEs and A-Levels under the diploma umbrella.

“The message which should go to all schools is that the Government is determined to follow a direction of travel towards rationalising and reducing the existing bewildering array of qualifications.

“I welcome the fact that the Government has adopted the NUT’s proposal for a Joint Committee on Qualifications Approval. This body must transcend party politics and have a long term perspective in achieving a single qualification structure which is valued by both higher education and employers.”