Examining Boards

HC Deb 08 July 1991 vol 194 c243W

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the extent of his powers vis-à-vis examining boards.

Mr. Eggar

The GCSE examining groups and GCE examining boards are independent bodies, but all courses of study leading to qualifications for pupils of compulsory school age are subject to the Secretary of State's approval, and their associated syllabuses are subject to the approval of his nominated body, the School Examinations and Assessment Council. As announced in the White Paper "Education and Training for the 21st Century" the Government intend to use their reserve powers to extend these controls on standards to courses for 16 to 18-year-olds.