Outrage over education minister’s Alps holiday during A-level fiasco
AN EDUCATION minister has been criticised for enjoying a holiday in the French Alps while teenagers endured this summer’s exam fiasco.
Gillian Keegan, who is responsible for apprenticeships and skills, posted pictures of her hiking trips, mountain bike exploits and a swim in a mountain lake on Instagram.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, who is fighting to keep his Cabinet post after overseeing the Government’s grading U-turn, found time to “like” several of her posts.
The Department for Education said: “It is not departmental policy to comment on ministerial diaries.” But Labour MP Neil Coyle described her conduct as “beyond belief – even for this gaffe-prone Government.”
Disgusted
He said: “Gavin Williamson’s incompetence truly knows no bounds.Young people who have been put through hell over the last few weeks will be disgusted to learn that one of the ministers involved in this mess has been living it up in France.
“But instead of Mr Williamson recognising he needed all hands on deck as this exam disaster loomed, he not only let her swan off on holiday, he even liked her holiday snaps.”
Ministers faced an outcry when nearly 40 per cent of A-level results predicted by teachers were downgraded by an algorithm designed to prevent grade inflation after exams were cancelled in the pandemic.
After days of anger from teachers, pupils and parents, Mr Williamson and exam regulator Ofqual agreed that predicted grades could be used as the final result for A-levels and GCSEs.
Mrs Keegan’s job carries responsibility for post-16 education strategy but as the exam fiasco unfolded, she remained on holiday in France.
She even stayed as quarantine restrictions came into force requiring her to self-isolate for 14 days on her return.
Mrs Keegan revealed on August 6 that she was staying in Courchevel, an Alpine resort.
She wrote: “Made it to our happy place for a few days #hiking #biking #wildswimming and whatever adventures we can find to clear the mind.”
She also posted a snap of a mountain with the caption: “Wonderful view from our balcony. #goodvibes.”
Two days after A-level results on August 15, Mrs Keegan wrote: “We will have to make the most of it as we will be #quarantined for 14 days when we get back.” She posted an emoji of a woman shrugging. Allies said the Chichester MP shares her responsibilities with universities minister Michelle Donelan, who was on duty.
Mrs Keegan was also said to have been doing work during the trip.