Labour urges Government to deliver a plan for 2022 exams as analysis reveals year 10 pupils have missed one in eight days of GCSE teaching

@Labour urges Government to deliver a plan for 2022 exams as analysis reveals year 10 pupils have missed one in eight days of GCSE teaching

Labour is today [Monday] calling on the Government to get plans for 2022 exams in place, as new analysis reveals that year 10 pupils have already missed one in eight days of face-to-face GCSE or BTEC teaching.

As pupils returned to their classrooms last week, Schools Minister Nick Gibb confirmed that exams will go ahead for GCSE, A-level and vocational students in 2022, but failed to give any details for teachers looking to make-up for the teaching time pupils have missed.

In a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament today, Shadow Schools Minister Wes Streeting MP, will urge the Government not to repeat the mistakes Ministers have made this year, stating: “Uncertainty is piling on the pressure facing pupils and their teachers. The longer ministers dither and delay, the harder it will be to make meaningful adjustments for exams to go ahead in a way that is fair to all pupils. Ministers need to learn from their mistakes and act sooner, rather than later.” 

He will urge Ministers to work with exam boards and the education sector urgently to deliver an exams system that is genuinely fair for all pupils next summer, including possible adjustments to exam papers, guidance to schools and colleges, and revision aids helping to level the playing field for the pupils who have missed most learning. 

Pupils’ experience of learning during the pandemic has varied significantly as children in different regions experienced varying levels of Covid disruption before Christmas and the Government’s delayed delivery of laptops has left disadvantaged pupils struggling to learn online during this lockdown.

Wes Streeting MP, Shadow Schools Minister, said:

“The Government’s poor planning and preparation has created a second year of exam chaos. Ministers urgently needs to set out plans for next year giving teachers and pupils time to prepare and adjust their teaching.

“Exams remain the fairest and most robust way to assess pupils, but ministers must guarantee a level playing field for pupils who have missed most learning this year.”