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Browne Jacobson home arrow Home arrow Insights arrow Blogs arrow MPs seek to put the brakes on E-Bacs

MPs seek to put the brakes on E-Bacs

1 February 2013

MPs have criticised plans to phase out GCSEs in core subjects and replace them with a new E-Bac certificate.

The Education Select Committee's report claims the government has failed to make the case for the new qualification. It also criticises the pace of the reforms, suggesting the government has tried to do too much too fast.

Whilst many support the government’s view that GCSEs have become a damaged brand, the report raises a number of concerns.  It argues the plans for more rigorous exams will not help pupils who are currently struggling to achieve five A2 to C grades.

The government’s commitment to raising standards and reforming the exam boards should be applauded and will be shared by parents and employers. The fiasco that followed the release of last summer’s GCSE results proved that reform is needed. However, it’s important to ensure these reforms complement other education reforms around the curriculum, raising the participation age and the freedoms offered to those schools that adopt academy status.

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