Simon Thomas AM
Ahead of a debate in the Senedd on the latest debacle to hit the Welsh Government over the exams system in Wales, Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas has said that a move to an exam regulator independent of government must happen as soon as possible.
Yesterday findings of an internal review by the WJEC have been released. The WJEC review of marking following the release of this January’s GCSE English Language results has concluded that the marking scheme has been applied consistently in all but one of the cases reviewed.
Plaid Cymru Shadow Education and Skills Minister, Mid and West AM Simon Thomas said:
“The quicker we move to an exam system which is independent of the Welsh Government as Plaid Cymru has campaigned for the better. This is the first made in Wales exam as a core subject.
“The young people sitting these exams must be the main focus for us all as it is their futures that are at stake. Pupils and parents will now be confused following the WJEC report as the Education Minister has said that there has been no change in grading.
“Clearly these papers have been marked differently from past papers and once again the Welsh Government as exam regulator in Wales has failed in its duty to Welsh pupils by not monitoring and giving information correctly.
Qualifications in Wales need to accurately reflect the skills of young people as well as their knowledge of the curriculum. Young people deserve an internationally renowned qualifications system.
“Teachers need sufficient training before the next round of exams in June and pupils are adequately prepared.
“The Party of Wales will be seeking answers now from the Welsh Government and from the Education Minister as the Welsh exam regulator about what has happened with this January’s exam grades. What was the Welsh Government’s involvement in this latest debacle?”
