No room for error in planning exams

IF THIS year’s results chaos has shown us anything it is that exams, however flawed, are seen as, by and large, the fairest and most well-understood way to measure achievement.

When Education Minister Kirsty Williams said once again that 2021 school external exams may be delayed and a review is taking place, a collective “oh no, not again” could almost be heard resonating through the socially distanced corridors of schools that have just reopened. After the mess of this year’s exam results, everyone in the system must be hoping next summer’s can be sat without any further ado.

Whatever is decided about next year’s exams, it must be watertight, clearly communicated and agreed upon swiftly for the sake of students and schools. Politicians and those tasked with running our qualifications won’t be forgiven for making a hash of it again. The system has already suffered a severe knock in confidence. Attention must turn urgently to rectifying the gaps in young people’s education and how to ensure this year’s debacle does not happen again, whatever this virus does.

Holding exams a few weeks later next summer would give students and teachers time to cover the exam specification, which is already being altered to make up for lost learning – but the nettle must be grasped that a new way of taking exams may have to be delivered to avoid cancelling them again if Covid-19 continues. That new way may have to be designed before November, with regulator Qualifications Wales and exam board the WJEC confirming once again that this November maths, English and Welsh GCSEs will go ahead. There is no guidance yet on how November’s GCSEs will be carried out in relation to guidance around Covid19 precautions.That is worrying.

Those responsible for exams must begin looking at what venues could be used to hold socially distanced exams if necessary. Sports venues were altered efficiently and with speed to accommodate the NHS and save lives at the pandemic’s height. That must be applauded and learned from.

If we can teach classes of 30 and more at a social distance in schools reopening this week, what prevents holding exams for groups of similar size? Papers may have to be shorter in duration, more and larger exam venues may be needed. Before cancelling or delaying next year’s exams, all the options have to be looked at.

Our education system cannot afford any further disruption or uncertainty.