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Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has apologized to every child for “the restriction they have had to suffer” because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr. Williamson said it was the “best thing” for every child in England to return to school in September.
In an interview with the BBC prior to A-level results on Thursday, he said the exam system was honest and robust.
Students at A-level and GCSE will have their results this year based on estimates after exams were canceled.
On Tuesday, the Department of Education finally announced a “triple lock” – that could increase replacement rates for exams canceled in the pandemic.
It means that students can have the result that it is higher than estimated grades, mocks or exams in the fall.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC on Wednesday, Mr Williamson said: “I apologize to every child right in the country for the disturbance they have suffered.”
He said he would never have expected to be in a situation where he would have to close schools or “where we would not have an exam period”.
And he insisted that the exam system was strong.
“The system, for the overwhelming majority of young people, will provide you, you know, credible, strong results for each and every one of them.
“It’s a robust system, it’s an honest system. It’s making sure young people get the degrees they worked so hard for.”
He defended the “triple lock” at the last minute, saying: “I will not dare to actually make changes in terms if I can get the system as fair as possible for each child.”
A-level and BTec results are out Thursday
The education secretary said he wanted to make an ‘assurance’ that if students felt they had not received the degrees they deserved, they could appeal and, if necessary, sit for a public exam in the fall.
“What’s the key is giving young people the opportunity to move on to the next stage of their lives, and to ensure that they have the opportunity to move on to college, to go to university, to take a student ship. , to enter the world of work. “
He said universities had been “brilliant” in terms of keeping offers open and urged them “to show the maximum amount of flexibility” as students went through the appeal process.
He added: “We have a system that is, I believe, the best we can do; but let us not forget that we have been in a global pandemic, we have been in a situation, none of us would have expected a be. “
Earlier, Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said the decision to change the process hours before the day of results was “shambolic” and “smacks of incompetence”.
He also said that individual students in England should be allowed to appeal against degrees, instead of just by the school or college – as provided for under the new rule.
Sir Keir also said the government should order universities to be flexible. “All that needs to be put in place and it needs to be put in place before tomorrow is out,” he said.
How qualities are decided around the UK
- England and Northern Ireland: The key information for A-levels and GCSEs will be how students are ranked by their school and results in their schools and colleges in previous years. Plus a “triple lock” with the highest class out of the estimated class, an autumn written exam like a mock exam, depending on a successful career through a school. Professional qualifications will have rough results for some courses, but not the same “triple lock”
- Scotland has switched to using predictive grades of teachers
- Wales has promised students that results at A-level will not be lower than their results at AS-level.
Back in September back to school
Mr. Williamson told the BBC that A-level and GCSE exams would go ahead next year, saying “we need to put that in place”.
“But we understand just as well that we have been through very exceptional circumstances and that is why we have taken steps to ensure that we can meet that.”
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Reuters
Mr. Williamson said he wants all children in school in September
Mr. Williamson said he intended to see all children in England back in school next month.
In case of local lockdowns, he would “expect schools to be the very last thing closed as part of it, but if necessary, he wants to see” a continuity of education “.
Asked if he could “look parents in the eye and say you did a good job as secretary of education to ensure that the education of children is taken care of during this pandemic,” he said that “things were those ‘ we would take a different approach “.
“And, you know, where we don’t have everything great, of course I regret that incredibly.”
He went on to say: “But the best we can do is make sure every child is back in school in September.
“Is there anything else I can do to do that? Well, if there is, tell me here, and I’ll go out and I’ll do it.
“We need to see every child back in school – as someone who has a wife and a brother who works in schools, and someone who has children you have, you know, like every child, has suffered … I know the best thing to do is get everyone back. “
Do you expect to receive your exam results on Thursday? How would the government’s plan affect you? Email [email protected].
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