ED BALLS’ ANNOUNCEMENT ON DIPLOMAS

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.”