Teachers to swear oath over exam cheating

TEACHERS who set exams will have to swear an oath that they will not help pupils cheat, according to proposals being considered by the exam watchdog.

In a bid to crack down on malpractice, teachers who double-up as examiners would also have their teaching plans scrutinised to ensure they are not “narrowing their teaching” to focus on exam content. Pupils who are taught by examiners would also have the work “routinely” examined, to look for signs of foul play. Ofqual’s report suggests that teachers who set exams should be required to make an annual declaration “that they understand and at all times comply with their obligations to protect the confidentiality of assessment materials.”

Examination boards would also be required to maintain a register of interests, with teachers forced to declare any personal conflicts which could impinge on their suitability to set exams. It comes four months after The Daily Telegraph exposed an exam cheating scandal at the heart of the British public school system, forcing the Government to launch an urgent inquiry.

Chris Ramsey, the chairman of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference, said: “HMC understands the need for complete fairness and probity… but it is important to keep a sense of perspective. Teachers make the best examiners as they understand the subject and the pupils.”