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 28 August 2008 06:41 BST

Britain's school exam system comes under attack

Friday, 04 Apr 2008 09:47
Britain's school exam system has come under attack
Britain's school exam system has come under attack from a new report claiming the current setup is likely to become inefficient in a number of years.

The report, for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), said the system was "bloated" and claimed that exam boards were charging over £400 million a year in fees, while another £300 million is being spent on invigilators and staff.

The report, by Europe Economics, said: "Over time the [exam] system almost certainly has engendered inefficiency and in our view is likely to go on doing so. Unless action is taken, the burden on taxpayers will increase.

"Schools and college representatives were vocal in their criticisms of the rate at which exam fee expenditure had risen in the last few years."

It is claimed that headteachers are now being forced to spend more money on exams than on instruments for learning such as books and computers.

John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said of today's report: "This is a desperately bad use of public money. It has become the second biggest item after staffing in most secondary school and college budgets. This bloated external examination system is in need of severe pruning."

Mr Dunford instead called for greater teacher assessment in schools to replace the number of external exams.

"If the assessment system put more trust in the professional judgment of teachers, the number of exams could probably be halved," he said.End of story


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