§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she intends to publish the report of Sir James Waddell's steering committee which has been studying the proposals for a common system of examining to replace the GCE O levels and CSE examinations; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsMy right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I believe that the Committee's report will be of considerable interest to all those concerned with school examinations. We have therefore arranged for its publication, which takes place today—Cmnd. 7281. Copies are available in the Vote Office. We are grateful to the members of the Committee and its study groups for their careful and thorough work.
The report concludes that a common system, providing examinations for all the candidates for whom GCE O-level and CSE examinations are now intended and awarding certificates with the same title and with grades on a single scale. could be introduced without harmful educational consequences. The Committee considers that in some subjects alternative examination papers and tests of different degrees of difficulty will be required to match the varying needs of candidates of different abilities, but that the main potential advantages seen in a common system can nevertheless be realised. The report also makes recommendations about the administration of a common system.
813WThese matters have been the subject of discussion and consultations for a number of years and it is desirable to end the uncertainty. Accordingly, the Government propose to take a firm decision in the near future on whether or not the proposed new system of examining should be introduced.