UK Minister wants O-levels back to boost standards

London: O-level-style exams are to be brought back in an attempt to reverse declining standards in schools.

Ministers want to scrap modular exams, which allow teenagers to take their GCSEs in bite-size chunks and have a second go at any chunk if they fail.

Instead, pupils would be tested on everything they have learned over the past two years, in a system more familiar to those who took O-levels.

In recent times, exam results have improved year on year, prompting accusations of dumbing down.

And yesterday, Education Secretary Michael Gove said: "We want to get rid of modularisation of GCSEs. Instead of GCSEs being split into bite-sized elements we think it's important that at the end of the GCSE course the student should be examined on everything they have learned at one time."

"So we'll have fewer exams but a concentration on a more rigorous approach at 16," he added.

Balance

"I think that balance between a greater emphasis on standards but also greater freedom for teachers to teach and less time and money being spent on examinations is a good thing." Almost all GCSEs are now modular — made up of four units over two years. Ministers believe this piecemeal approach has weakened GCSEs and allowed pupils to improve their marks as they go along by re-sitting exams. The increased assessment means children spend more time revising for the next exam, rather than developing an intellectual foundation.

GCSEs were brought in to replace O-levels 24 years ago, by the Conservatives under Margaret Thatcher. At the time there were claims that the reform would lead to declining standards.

Last year, the exam board chief told the Daily Mail that modular GCSEs were easier to pass.

Dr Mike Cresswell, of the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, said: "It's probably true in some sense it's easier to display a particularly defined set of knowledge and skills if you have more opportunity to do it. There is a sense you see pass rates rising when you introduce a modular system."

The White Paper, to be unveiled tomorrow, will give teachers more powers to discipline children. And there will be anonymity for teachers accused of assault to help bring down the number of frivolous claims.