(Title Image: Senedd Research Service)
The Education Minister, Kirsty Williams (Lib Dem, Brecon & Radnor), has confirmed that 2021’s GCSE, AS-Level and A-Level exams will be cancelled.
In their place, the Welsh Government intends to work with schools, colleges and Qualifications Wales to develop teacher-based assessments delivered under supervised classroom conditions, some of which will be externally set and marked. These assessments will have flexible timeframes to allow more teaching time if needed (i.e. to compensate for self-isolation in the event of a Covid-19 outbreak).
“We remain optimistic that the public health situation will improve, but the primary reason for my decision is down to fairness; the time learners will spend in schools and colleges will vary hugely and, in this situation, it is impossible to guarantee a level playing field for exams to take place.”
– Education Minister, Kirsty Williams
Work will continue with schools and colleges for the rest of the autumn term with a view to begin implementation of the new assessments from January 2021. However, vocational qualifications were said to be “more complex and will require extra work”.
The Minister was confident that universities are willing to accept qualifications under this system as the approach is “transparent and robust” and “provides evidence of a learner’s knowledge and ability”.
The announcement was made following two separate reports from Qualifications Wales and an independent review of 2020’s exam fiasco.
