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The Labor Party is calling for next year’s A and GCSE levels to be delayed in England to help pupils cope with the impact of the coronavirus crisis.
Parallel Education Secretary Kate Green said exams should be delayed to allow for additional teaching time, as students now face a “mountain to climb” after missing up to six months of teaching.
He said exams scheduled for next May should be delayed until June or July.
Green said: “Students across the country who have missed vital teaching time will have to climb a mountain to prepare for the May exams, unless the government intervenes.
“Ministers received warning after warning about problems with this year’s test results, but allowed descend into a fiasco.
“This is too important to Boris johnson leave until the last minute.
“Students going back to school need clarity and certainty about next year.”
The shadow education secretary told Sky News that “there are no ideal solutions to the crisis we are in.”
Speaking to Sky News @ Breakfast, Ms Green said: “We really need to put young people first when we think about this and make sure they are given every possible opportunity to perform at their best and be able to show their potential when It’s about the end-of-year evaluation.
“That is why we have suggested delaying the exam date, so that there is more time for teaching and learning, obviously in accordance with enough time for exams to be scored and results agreed, and then for colleges and universities to do your admissions process. “
She acknowledged that the change could be “challenging,” but added: “I think it’s really important for the government to do the work to do that detailed planning now and have a contingency plan in place if the exams can’t take place next summer. “
Labor is also urging ministers to review existing support arrangements for students over the age of 16, so that students preparing to sit their A levels are not left without help.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders union, said the proposal was “worthy of serious consideration.”
“Most importantly, we don’t see a repeat of the chaos this year,” he said.
“Poor planning and last minute changes by the government caused misery for many students. It would be indefensible if that happened again.
“Labor’s suggestion of a delay to help ‘catch up’ is worthy of serious consideration.
A delay is not without its problems, a consequent delay in the publication of results will put pressure on higher education providers, such as universities and colleges, as well as on employers. All of this will have to be resolved. “
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A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “We recognize that students who are required to take exams next summer will have experienced disruptions in their education, so we prioritize bringing Year 10 and Year 12 students back to school last term. .
“The exams will take place next year and we have been working closely with the industry, Ofqual and the exam boards to consider our approach.”
