MPs are set to debate whether the content of GCSE and A-level exams should be reduced after pupils missed out on learning time owing to the pandemic.
The debate has been sparked by a petition signed by more than 146,000 people, which says pupils must not be penalised for missing out on face to face teaching during the lockdown.
GCSEs 2021: Call to make teacher assessment more robust
GCSEs: Call to keep some inflation from grades fiasco
Coronavirus: Prioritise exam students for Covid tests, DfE told
It states: “A significant number of students will sit their final 2021 examinations.
“The outcome of which undoubtedly will be their passport, for many of their future life chances and successes. In order for this to be done fairly, it is imperative that the amount of content they are tested on is reduced.”
The debate, next Monday, will last 90 minutes and will provide opportunities for MPs to question government ministers directly.
The petition was started by a Sheffield academic, Rafia Hussein. It says: “As an educator myself, I understand the huge benefits of face to face teaching and the positive impact this has on a child’s educational success.
“Unfortunately, due to the ongoing unprecedented situation, classroom-based learning has not been possible.
“A significant amount of teaching and learning time has been lost (ongoing). This cannot effectively be compensated for by provided remote learning activities. By reducing the content, students will have the opportunity to sit their exams equitably.”
The government responded to the petition in July, stating: “All students, including current Year 10s and 12s, will have experienced disruption to their education this year. Ofqual is consulting on measures to mitigate this through changes to next year’s exams.”
The government will also debate a petition next week over how GCSE and A-level grades were awarded this summer.
Another petition, which has 148,880 signatures, calls for a review of how GCSE and A-level grades were to be awarded prior to the government U-turn on the issue, stating, “we want a better solution than just using our previous data to be the basis of our grade”.
It added: “Using previous data could result in unfair grading as the majority of this data may be inaccurate and unrepresentative of a student’s ability. Most of these assessments are not always taken seriously, and could misinterpret students true potential.”
The government gave a response on 4 September, stating: “Students in England have now received the higher of their centre assessment grade or calculated grade for GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2020”.
