HC Deb 08 November 1988 vol 140 cc160-1
5. Mr. Leigh

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress in GCSE examinations.

Mrs. Rumbold

The recent report from Her Majesty's inspectors of schools on the introduction of the GCSE shows that it is off to a good start, due in large part to the hard work and commitment of teachers. The GCSE examining groups, in partnership with the new School Examinations and Assessment Council, are already viewing syllabuses and procedures to ensure that next year is better.

Mr. Leigh

Does my hon. Friend agree that the only real and objective test of the GCSE is how those who sat it this year perform at A-level in two years' time? Will she therefore ensure that there is no reduction, watering down or tampering with A-level standards? GCSE must not be seen as a Trojan horse to mask any reduction in our drive towards excellence.

Mrs. Rumbold

I do not accept that A-levels should be the only test of how good the GCSE examination is, as many other objective tests can be applied. None the less, I agree that it is very important indeed that A-levels must not in any sense be changed or watered down, so that young people who have taken the GCSE can demonstrate beyond doubt how excellent the introduction of the new examination is.

Mr. Flynn

Does the Minister agree that GCSE pupils should be used to tackle the chronic skill shortages that exist in this country, particularly in one area? Does she agree that one skill shortage that is capable of embarrassing the Government, and to which pupils can be drawn, is the special lack of skill displayed by top Treasury civil servants in their failure to operate tape recorders?

Mrs. Rumbold

I am sure that the new GCSE examination will enable all pupils who complete the two-years of course work and take the end of the year examinations to follow all the skills that will be required by future generations seeking work in this country.

Mr. Pawsey

Does my hon. Friend accept that the GCSE results for the past year have been very gratifying indeed and give the lie to all those who criticised the introduction of the examination some 18 months ago? However, does she agree that perhaps it lacks some of the essential rigour that is necessary to ensure good A-level results?

Mrs. Rumbold

I agree with my hon. Friend that all the carping about the GCSE being introduced too quickly, without enough money and without sufficient support has been proved wrong. In large part, a great deal of the success has been due to the hard work and effort of teachers and pupils and the support that the children have received from their parents. I believe that the A-levels will come out well, just as we expect, as a result of the good preparation that the GCSE has given to the students taking it.

Mr. Steinberg

I agree with the Minister. If it had not been for the hard work and dedication of the teaching staff, the GCSE would have been a failure, because the Government did not provide enough resources. Can the Minister guarantee that in next year's round of negotiations more resources will be provided for books and equipment so that the GCSE will not depend solely on the teachers' dedication?

Mrs. Rumbold

The GCSE is the best resourced examination that has ever been introduced in Britain. Its success has as much to do with the excellent resourcing as with the determination of the teachers.