Fury over exam body’s plans to go ahead with test in February

AQE’S move comes before schools told to engage in remote learning until mid-february

NORTHERN Ireland’s transfer test procedure was in chaos last night after one of the two examining bodies said it would be looking to reschedule exams for February 27.

It comes as the Executive confirmed last night that schools are to engage in remote learning until the mid-term break.

There has been no clarification over GCSES and A-levels, although it appears increasingly likely they will be called off after Education Secretary confirmed they would not be held in England.

First Minister Arlene Foster said discussions on exams are ongoing with Mr Williamson, with a decision to be made by tomorrow.

She added: “We confirm that all educational establishments will move to remote learning until the half-term break in the middle of February.

“It will be reviewed up the end of January. But we want to give those educational establishments the vision ahead into February. So, that is what is happening. That applies to primary schools, post-primary schools and indeed to nursery schools as well.”

Mrs Foster denied the Executive had failed to agree on a way forward for exams.

She said: “Our educational grading and our GCSES and A-levels are very integrated into the wider UK system.”

She said there were “ongoing discussions” with Mr Williamson and “the Executive have mandated our education minister to get clarity for these issues”.

“By the end of the Executive on Thursday, we will have complete clarity in relation to GCSES and A-levels.”

Earlier, after announcing that scheduled transfer tests this month would be called off, assessors in AQE said it still plans to go ahead with a single test in eight weeks time, if conditions allow.

It means another two months of anxious waiting for parents and teachers who had believed earlier on Tuesday that a final decision to abandon this year’s tests

UUP MLA Robbie Butler had been reached.

While announcing that the January tests would be cancelled, the first of which was due to take place this Saturday, AQE had not ruled out the possibility of conducting the tests at a later date.

It said it made the decision to press ahead at a later date following a meeting with schools yesterday afternoon.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill said the decision of the AQE to proceed with testing was “absolutely disgraceful”.

“This totally disregards the fact that young people have been through so much turmoil and trauma this year,” she said.

“To do this, all within 12 hours, to say on one hand tests are cancelled then come back and say now the tests are back on is absolutely ridiculous.

“I think it’s about putting their own interests first, above the interests of children.

“The Education Minister will tell you he has no power to block the AQE exams, but I will personally put it to a vote at the Executive on Thursday if a decision is not taken before then.”

Thirty-four grammar schools were originally planning to use the AQE test to admit pupils for 2021, with 8,000 pupils due to sit this weekend’s first test.

AQE stated: “The schools who use the assessment are encouraged by communications from parents who have stated that their children are ready and willing to sit the assessment and they want the opportunity to do so.

Northern Ireland’s other private examining body, PPTC, does not appear to have plans to test pupils later.

UUP MLA Robbie Butler was left stunned. “I need time to digest the awful manner in which our P7s have been treated. From leaking information that was partially correct to media to late notice changes to process. Who actually cares for the kids?”

Sinn Fein education spokesperson Karen Mullan called

AQE’S decision ”outrageous and indefensible”.

“It displays an utter lack of empathy and understanding of the huge stresses and anxieties facing children at this time,” she said.

SDLP MLA Matthew O’toole added: “I can only imagine the anger of parents and the stress on 10 year olds trying to understand this.”

Last night Mr Weir said preschools, primary and post-primary schools will be required to provide remote learning to pupils until the half-term break in mid-february. Special schools will remain open as usual, but the Executive will be keeping the position under review.

Vulnerable children and children of key workers will have access to schools for supervised learning. Only one parent or guardian is required to be a key worker.

Last night, Economy Minister Diane Dodds, said there would be “further flexibilities” for vocational qualification exams and assessments this month, particularly in relation to Btecs.

She said “we must recognise the unprecedented challenges faced by learners over recent months, including lost learning time and disruption, in addition to social isolation and family pressures”.

‘I need time to digest the awful manner in which our Primary 7 pupils have been treated. Who actually cares for the kids?’