Commenting on the publication of the WJEC’s internal review findings following a big decline in exam results for the new GCSE English Language qualification, Angela Burns AM, Shadow Minister for Education, said:
“These findings fail to explain why students across Wales received unexpectedly low exam results, which unless corrected, could leave them severely disadvantaged in college admissions or in the jobs market.
“Students, teachers and parents remain in the dark about how many exam papers will be remarked and how their overall grades will be affected.
“It remains extraordinary that so many pupils have ended up with results several grades below what they had been predicted and that WJEC and Welsh Government modelling didn’t foresee this fiasco and issue warnings accordingly.
“English language is an essential life skill in the global race and this debacle does not inspire confidence in the new GCSEs due to be introduced in September in other core skills including Maths and Welsh.
“The Welsh Government must learn the lessons of this fiasco and consider delaying the introduction of more new core skill qualifications, which are so important in allowing young people in Wales to compete in the international jobs market.”
