IMMEDIATE RELEASE 15October 2002
Commenting on this mornings announcementsfrom the examining boards, universities and Mike Tomlinson, Doug McAvoy, NUTGeneral Secretary, said:
There are those who will say that the numbersof regradings are relatively small, and in percentage terms they are. But 1200young people have had their marks tampered with and their confidence damaged bydeliberate interference in their gradings.
Mike Tomlinson is to be congratulated onthe work he has done and the speed with which he has accomplished his task. TheEducation Secretary was right to set up the enquiry. The appeals system isthere to deal with errors not deliberate decisions to downgrade students work.
People should not underestimate the impactof young people receiving unit grades below those expected. Some will have hadtheir confidence undermined by artificially low unit grades.
It is clear from Mike Tomlinsons workthat the A and AS level exams are sound. Deliberate interference has affectedgradings, but not the quality of the exam.
Young people, parents, teachers andemployers should not have their faith in the exam for next year undermined bythis serious, one off event.
Those who called for an immediate introductionof some form of baccalaureate should now take time to reflect on what if anyfurther changes are needed to the examination system.
The main task now is for the Secretary ofState to ensure that next years examinees do not suffer the trauma that hasbeset this years students.
E N D PR.80/02