§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has for national qualifications in basic skills for adults. [94763]
§ Mr. Wicks[holding answer 19 October 1999]: Following the launch of "A Fresh Start", the report from Sir Claus Moser's working group on adult basic skills, the Government asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to develop national standards for adult literacy and numeracy at Entry Level and Levels 1 and 2. Draft standards will be issued for consultation shortly. We are expecting the final standards to be published in Spring 2000.
These standards will provide the base for the development of a core curriculum for adult basic skills and national tests at Levels 1 and 2. All recognised qualifications will need to be aligned with the new national standards. We have also asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority for advice on the link between national tests and qualifications.