The University and College Union (UCU) has today (Monday)
called on the government to implement a fairer assessment system
for exams to ensure the chaos of the summer is not
repeated.
Responding to the announcement by education
secretary that GCSEs
and A-level exams will be delayed by three weeks, the union
called for a fairer system that relies less on exams. The union
also said that the current situation highlighted the need for an
overhaul of exams and assessments, and a move to a system of
post-qualifications
admissions, where students apply to university after their
results.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Staff and students
have worked incredibly hard in unprecedented circumstances this
year and deserve better than the continued mess that the
Westminster government has overseen.
'The government needs to accept it got things badly wrong
back in August and work with staff to ensure a proper system of
teacher-moderated grades instead of exams, in case we see a
continued rise in Covid-19 cases and more widespread
lockdowns.
‘Whilst a delay in the start of exams in 2021 to allow
students and teachers more time to complete courses is welcome,
it is vital to consider how this will affect teacher workload and
timetable planning. Longer term, the current situation shows that
we must seriously look at moving to a system of
post-qualifications admissions, where students apply to
university after their results.
‘Without substantial support from the government, and a
commitment to genuine reform, further uncertainty around exams
and marking systems will simply create further chaos for students
and unbearable workloads for staff’.
