Awarding bodies AQA and OCR will no longer run GCSE exams in the North, which is planning to keep traditional A* to G grades. Most pupils take exams offered by the North’s exams board, the CCEA. However, many take papers set by boards from England too.
Education minister John O’Dowd had said boards wishing to offer exams in Northern Ireland needed to use A* to G rather than the new numerical grades being introduced in England.
OCR says, however, this creates financial and operational problems, which means it cannot offer separate qualifications in Northern Ireland. AQA says it has also reconsidered its position and will not offer reformed GCSEs.
Universities have already said they are aware of the implications of devolved regional policy in regards to qualifications. While fundamental differences are starting to appear, universities say they have no issue as long as standards are retained.
A survey by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Northern Ireland found a majority of secondary principals feared that pupils will be disadvantaged. It says the move by AQA and OCR effectively means an end to the open market in Northern Ireland.
ASCL’s Northern Ireland president Robin McLoughlin said: “When the minister’s decision to require English awarding bodies to conform to the A* to G grading system was taken, we warned that in spite of assurances from the minister, it would not be possible for an open market for qualifications to be maintained.
“Given that over 40,000 GCSE entries in Northern Ireland each year are with English awarding bodies, we ask that the minister restores the freedom of choice promised to pupils.”