This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-22604899

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Michael Gove proposes split in exams systems of England, Wales and Northern Ireland Michael Gove proposes split in exams systems of England, Wales and Northern Ireland
(about 4 hours later)
The secretary of state for education has said it is time for England, Wales and Northern Ireland to go their separate ways on GCSEs and A-levels.The secretary of state for education has said it is time for England, Wales and Northern Ireland to go their separate ways on GCSEs and A-levels.
Michael Gove has written to both the NI and Welsh education ministers saying he believes the differences are becoming so great, there must be a split.Michael Gove has written to both the NI and Welsh education ministers saying he believes the differences are becoming so great, there must be a split.
In his letter, he described the proposed move as "a natural and legitimate consequence of devolution".In his letter, he described the proposed move as "a natural and legitimate consequence of devolution".
Mr Gove has taken a hard-line approach in his campaign to toughen up exams. NI's education minister said the quality of exams was the priority.
Northern Ireland's Education Minister John O'Dowd has said he is not opposed to revamping the exams, but would not be rushed into action. John O'Dowd said that he and Mr Gove should be working together "despite our differences".
"In my opinion we can have a common A-level name, we can have a common GCSE name," he said.
"It can be delivered in slightly different ways. It's the robustness of that exam that is the important thing and that universities and employers want to be reassured of. And I'm confident we can reassure them of."
Mr O'Dowd had talks with the education secretary last week to discuss their different views.Mr O'Dowd had talks with the education secretary last week to discuss their different views.
University
Straight talking at that meeting in London appears to have spurred Mr Gove into declaring that his radical reforms will create exams so different from those bearing the same name across the three countries, they would be better off as separate exams with different titles.Straight talking at that meeting in London appears to have spurred Mr Gove into declaring that his radical reforms will create exams so different from those bearing the same name across the three countries, they would be better off as separate exams with different titles.
Scottish students currently sit a completely different set of exams which can gain them entry to university in other regions. Scottish students currently sit a completely different set of exams that can gain them entry to university in other regions.
On Monday, Mr O'Dowd revealed interim changes to A-levels in Northern Ireland but he is still considering revision of A levels and GCSEs in the long term.On Monday, Mr O'Dowd revealed interim changes to A-levels in Northern Ireland but he is still considering revision of A levels and GCSEs in the long term.
Last year, the Sinn Fein minister and his Welsh counterpart expressed their displeasure after Mr Gove made an announcement about A-level changes in England without consulting either of them.Last year, the Sinn Fein minister and his Welsh counterpart expressed their displeasure after Mr Gove made an announcement about A-level changes in England without consulting either of them.