So it’s GCSE results day. Following on the heals of A-Level results day and Scottish Highers, once again Thursdays in August follow a similar and predictable pattern. Quite apart from the fact that for the current crop of students it is their day and they should be allowed to celebrate/commiserate as they see fit (they have performed to the best of their ability under the system that they have been taught and examined under), there is a question over why we always have this debate.
Okay, so I know the reason; itâs the media, its their annual pop at the system. But why? If today’s students were taught and graded under the same system as 30, 20, 10, or even 5 years ago, then there would be a case for comparing the results. But its not the same system (and what’s more it shouldn’t be â things change) and so you can’t compare them.
There was a lady on BBC Breakfast this morning that seemed to be complaining about academic subjects being examined via coursework rather than exams. Huh? If I’d gone through a system of just exams I wouldn’t have done nearly half as well. Surely there should be a balance and those that do excel at both coursework and exams would rightly get the top marks with those who do well in one but not the other (doesn’t matter which) doing well, but not as well, etcâ¦
