Ulster Unionist Education Spokesperson, Danny Kinahan, has responded to the plans of the Welsh government to begin ‘Wales-only’ GCSE exams in September 2015.

The South Antrim MLA, who is also vice chair of the Education Committee at Stormont, said;

‘I was disappointed when the Conservative Education Secretary Michael Gove originally announced in May that he felt the best way forward was for England, Wales and Northern Ireland to adopt their own separate approaches to educational qualifications.’

‘At that time I questioned how the Education Minister, John O’Dowd, could have allowed relationships between London and Belfast to deteriorate to the point whereby Michael Gove has decided that separate exam systems need to be implemented.’

‘This latest decision unveiled by the Welsh government to plough on and introduce at least four new GCSE exams from September 2015 is not the best way forward for a devolved region and could result in qualifications becoming devalued.’

‘Thousands of students from Northern Ireland attend Universities throughout the United Kingdom and we must ensure that our qualifications, both A levels and GCSE’s, remain at a ‘Gold’ standard. This not only applies with regard to the UK as a whole but also on a European level as well as globally. The long term importance of keeping this Gold standard is to ensure our pupils are getting the best possible education to prepare them for jobs. It would also be more difficult for employers to understand the true value of our qualifications if the link is broken with England and Wales.’

‘I would call on Michael Gove to keep all Parties in Northern Ireland appraised of his intentions as regards the education system; it is essential that Minister O’Dowd can be held fully to account in respect of any changes brought forward.’