§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will postpone the implementation of proposals to penalise pupils who have difficulty with spelling in examinations; and what provision is being made to prevent disadvantaging dyslexic children when penalties for poor spelling are introduced at examination level.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe Northern Ireland Schools Examinations and Assessment Council (NISEAC) is required by law to seek to ensure that its examinations are recognised as equivalent in standard to those conducted elsewhere in the United Kingdom. As part of the process of achieving this its GCSE syllabuses conform to the nationally set general and subject criteria for GCSE and, if there is any change to those criteria, this would affect NISEAC examinations also. The possible introduction of a penalty for poor spelling is currently being considered by the joint council for the GCSE and final decisions have not yet been taken.
332WOn the matter of the position of dyslexic children, for reasons of equivalence of standards it will be necessary to conform to whatever arrangements are agreed in relation to the spelling penalty for these pupils, and others with learning difficulties, in England and Wales.