§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what consideration she has given to the 387W introduction of a stronger vocational element in the GCSE, GCE and Business and Technician Education Council science subjects.
§ Mr. BoswellWe have set in place a new qualifications framework comprising general education qualifications—GCE A-levels and GCSE, general vocational qualifications—GNVQs, and occupationally specific qualifications—NVQs. GNVQs are becoming well established as a regular vocational alternative to general educational qualifications, with comparability at the appropriate level. Science GNVQs are now widely available post-16 at intermediate level and advanced level and are being piloted at foundation level. BTEC is one of the three GNVQ awarding bodies.