The whole matter of the dumbing down of our state education system and, as a result of this more recently, of the arbitrary downgrading of exam results by the authorities to the detriment of thousands of students who now cannot attend university this autumn, a first-class row has now erupted at the highest levels. I've been forecasting the crumbling of our state education system for some years now on FW. For those interested in the inevitable future of their own state education systems, the following story from today's Independent describes yet another step along the way in this country. As rows go, the following is about the most serious that's occurred in this country in recent years.
<<<< Exams chief accuses Morris of pre-empting A-level inquiry By Richard Garner Education Editor 26 September 2002 Internal links Exams chief accuses Morris of pre-empting A-level inquiry Morris is urged to create single body to govern examinations 'We should break up the exam quango' Estelle Morris, the Secretary of State for Education, was accused last night by the head of her exams watchdog of interfering with the independence of the inquiry she set up into allegations that this year's A-level result had been fixed. The allegation, by Sir William Stubbs, the head of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, could spell the end of her ministerial career if it is proved. Sir William said that Mike Tomlinson, the former chief inspector of schools who is heading the inquiry, was considering resigning from it because of the interference.The claims were furiously denied by Ms Morris. Mr Tomlinson joined the row between Ms Morris and Sir William, which was fought out in TV and radio studies this morning, when he issued a statement saying he was "completely satisfied that my inquiry remains independent." He added: "If I believed for one moment this independence was compromised then I would, indeed, resign." Ms Morris was said by Sir William to have approached the chief executives of two of the exam boards -� the Oxford and Cambridge and RSA Board and the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance -� to ask them about arrangements for re-marking all this summer's A-levels in advance of Mr Tomlinson's inquiry report, which is expected to be published tomorrow. Sir William said: "I have found this evening that the Secretary of State has acted in a most improper way in relation to the independence of the Tomlinson inquiry. "In the last few hours we have learnt that she has instructed her officials to discuss matters relating to the outcome of the review with the awarding bodies that are part of this investigation, in such a way that might cause them to conclude the outcome of the inquiry is already determined. "This independent inquiry is of vital importance for the integrity of the awards and therefore the futures of the young people concerned. I believe that this development is a serious risk to the integrity of this inquiry." A spokesman for the Tomlinson inquiry said: "Sir William is saying things about other people, not Mike -� therefore what Sir William says, Sir William must defend. " Senior exam board officials claimed Sir William was indulging "in a mud-smearing exercise to save his skin". Ms Morris said: "We have naturally been looking at contingencies in advance of the first report of the independent Tomlinson inquiry. At no time have we ever set out to prejudice its outcome but to make contingency plans is essential." A senior aide said last night: "It would have been irresponsible not to do this." Ms Morris said the Department had been talking to universities, Ucas, (the university and colleges admission service) and the examining boards about their responsibilities towards students. The OCR board said it had only had one 10-minute conversation with the Department for Education over options that could follow the inquiry report since Mr Tomlinson had started investigating. Earlier, in an interview with The Independent, Sir William admitted he had told exam boards at a meeting in July that there could be an inquiry into A-level results if their initial findings that the pass rate had increased by between two to four per cent were confirmed. However, he insisted that he only intended the comment to ensure they were satisfied they had maintained standards in marking this year's A-level exams. >>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Keith Hudson,6 Upper Camden Place, Bath BA1 5HX, England Tel:01225 312622/444881; Fax:01225 447727; E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________________
