Major Changes Proposed for A-Levels, AS-Levels, and GCSEs in Northern Ireland
Significant changes are potentially on the horizon for A-Levels, AS-Levels, and GCSEs in Northern Ireland. Education Minister Paul Givan has initiated a review of qualifications, sparking discussions about the future of secondary education.
Review of Qualifications
Paul Givan, the Education Minister, believes students are currently "over-tested." A key proposal being considered is the potential scrapping of AS-Levels, which could lead to a return to a two-year A-Level course with final exams at the end determining the grade. The Department of Education (DE) has begun a consultation on these proposals.
Minister Givan's Perspective
Givan told BBC News NI his department is examining "what we're teaching in our classrooms, the content that's being delivered, the way in which it's being delivered." He aims for the curriculum to be more detailed, rather than covering "a very wide range of issues that need to be covered in a short space of time." He emphasized the importance of aligning qualifications with the curriculum, stating that "if you then don't align your qualifications to the curriculum, then you can teach to the test."
"So much time is being spent in preparation for exams, time off school when it comes to even your mocks, being coached as to the technique when it comes to answer questions. All of that is taking away from the ability to actually sit in the class, engage in the subject matter and to learn about it."
Key Proposals for Exams and Qualifications
- AS-Levels Abolishment: A-Levels would become a two-year course, removing AS exams at the end of the first year.
- Content Reduction: Fewer topics to study at GCSE and A-Level.
- Practical Assessment Removal: Controlled or practical assessments taken in school, apart from exams, would be removed from most subjects.
- Exam Reduction: Aim for a maximum of two exams in every GCSE and two for every A-Level.
- GCSE Grading Change: Shift from letter grades (A* to G) to number grades (similar to the 9 to 1 system used in England).
Student Reactions to the Proposed Changes
Students at New-Bridge Integrated College in County Down have shared their thoughts, particularly regarding the potential removal of AS-Levels. Seventeen-year-old Kayla expressed concern, noting that she finds linear exam structures (covering two years of material) more challenging. She stated "Knowing that I have to know the whole two years by the end of it for, like, one exam... It's more stressful than having the two separate years where I can delegate my time better and organise myself more."
Shea, 17, agreed, saying the current exam structure is "pretty good." He emphasized the importance of AS-level knowledge for gauging performance and planning for university. He argued "Without that AS knowledge of how you're doing in exams, it's hard to base what's realistic for you to get into university and everything," he said.
Lily, 17, said she "really enjoyed" AS-levels and found them helpful in managing pressure. “Having those grades to fall back on and to understand where my baseline is and where I'm achieving at the minute was, like, really, really helpful," She also suggested that reducing the number of topics for A-Levels would be beneficial.
Tara, another A-level student, said she's "really thankful" to have completed her AS exams, as it alleviates the pressure of having everything assessed at the end of two years. She observed "If they were all at the end of the two years it would be quite hard, especially for the content that we learnt in Year 13."
