§ 60. Mr. JanmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will(a) make it his policy to encourage exam boards to make the O-level exam available in competition with the GCSE and (b) continue to allow education authorities, schools and parents to opt for either exam; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldSection 5 of the Education Reform Act provides for the statutory approval of qualifications and syllabuses for children of compulsory school age in maintained schools. My right hon. Friend has asked the School Examinations and Assessment Council to advise what qualifications—GCSE and other—should be approved. He will consider that advice, which he expects to receive by May, in the context of his intention that GCSE and equivalent qualifications should constitute the principal method of assessment of pupils' attainment at age 16.