§ Mr. Nicholas Brownasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has on the costs which will fall upon local education authorities as a result of the proposed implementation of the new GCSEs; and if he will give (a) the proposed examination fee, (b) the revised cost for equipment, stationery and text books, and (c) the financial implications for staffing costs in schools as a result of the new examination syllabuses.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe general criteria for the GCSE provide that syllabuses and methods of assessment should not make unreasonable demands on human or financial resources. The Government's expenditure plans should allow authorities to make appropriate provision for the GCSE provided that they take advantage of the scope for efficiency savings and contain their costs. The GCSE examining groups have not yet determined examinations fees for the GCSE.
§ Mr. Nicholas Brownasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the new GCSEs will meet the educational and academic standards now available in the GCE and CSE examinations.
§ Mr. Chris PattenYes.
§ Mr. Nicholas Brownasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the planned introduction of the new GCSEs in 1988 will be influenced in any way by the consultative and preparatory process involving teachers who are currently involved in dispute with their employers.
§ Mr. Chris PattenAs my right hon. Friend has recently confirmed, the Government do not intend to postpone the introduction of the GCSE. A national training programme, intended to help teachers with their preparations for the new examination courses, is now well under way.