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Gove says exams in England, Wales and NI must split Gove says exams in England, Wales and NI must split
(about 3 hours later)
The UK education secretary has said it is time for Wales to go its separate way on GCSEs and A-levels.The UK education secretary has said it is time for Wales to go its separate way on GCSEs and A-levels.
Michael Gove says he believes the differences between Wales, England and Northern Ireland are driving a split.Michael Gove says he believes the differences between Wales, England and Northern Ireland are driving a split.
Last year Wales' Education Minister Leighton Andrews had 2,300 GCSEs re-graded.Last year Wales' Education Minister Leighton Andrews had 2,300 GCSEs re-graded.
A Welsh government spokesperson said: "Wales is keeping GCSEs and A-levels, as is Northern Ireland."A Welsh government spokesperson said: "Wales is keeping GCSEs and A-levels, as is Northern Ireland."
"We wish Mr Gove well with his plans to rename these qualifications in England.""We wish Mr Gove well with his plans to rename these qualifications in England."
In a letter to the education ministers of Wales and Northern Ireland, Mr Gove said the separation of GCSEs and A-levels between those countries and those in England is "a natural and legitimate consequence of devolution".In a letter to the education ministers of Wales and Northern Ireland, Mr Gove said the separation of GCSEs and A-levels between those countries and those in England is "a natural and legitimate consequence of devolution".
Mr Gove had talks with Mr Andrews and Northern Ireland's Education Minister John O'Dowd last week.Mr Gove had talks with Mr Andrews and Northern Ireland's Education Minister John O'Dowd last week.
His letter to them says "the time is right for us to acknowledge" the qualification systems in the three countries need to go their separate ways.His letter to them says "the time is right for us to acknowledge" the qualification systems in the three countries need to go their separate ways.
In a report in The Guardian newspaper, Whitehall sources accuse the Welsh government of being "determined to keep dumbing down" exam standards.In a report in The Guardian newspaper, Whitehall sources accuse the Welsh government of being "determined to keep dumbing down" exam standards.
On Twitter, Mr Andrews said the "meeting was cordial but the Whitehall source is just offensive - and it reads like it was someone in the meeting".On Twitter, Mr Andrews said the "meeting was cordial but the Whitehall source is just offensive - and it reads like it was someone in the meeting".
Referring to the Guardian article, Mr Andrews said: "And a week later Whitehall sources, quoting directly from a comment in the meeting, start being offensive again."Referring to the Guardian article, Mr Andrews said: "And a week later Whitehall sources, quoting directly from a comment in the meeting, start being offensive again."
"For the avoidance of doubt, Wales will continue to have GCSEs, A-levels and AS levels. So will Northern Ireland. I don't know about England.""For the avoidance of doubt, Wales will continue to have GCSEs, A-levels and AS levels. So will Northern Ireland. I don't know about England."
He added: "One of the benefits of devolution is that it allows England to be a laboratory for experiments."He added: "One of the benefits of devolution is that it allows England to be a laboratory for experiments."
Plaid Cymru called on the Welsh government to "take urgent steps to ensure confidence in the system".
Education spokesman Simon Thomas said an independent exams regulator for Wales should be created "as soon as possible to ensure confidence in the system and ensure standards do not fall."
Until now, Wales, England and Northern Ireland have shared qualifications and a three-country system of regulating exams.Until now, Wales, England and Northern Ireland have shared qualifications and a three-country system of regulating exams.
But a row over the grading of GCSE English papers in the summer of 2012 highlighted growing differences.But a row over the grading of GCSE English papers in the summer of 2012 highlighted growing differences.
Mr Andrews ordered a regrade after a review found the results had been "unfair" to pupils in Wales.Mr Andrews ordered a regrade after a review found the results had been "unfair" to pupils in Wales.
Appeals for a regrade in England were turned down by the exam regulator Ofqual.Appeals for a regrade in England were turned down by the exam regulator Ofqual.
In September 2012, Mr Gove announced a shake-up of exams in England. He proposed that GCSEs in England would be replaced in core subjects by a qualification called the English Baccalaureate Certificate.In September 2012, Mr Gove announced a shake-up of exams in England. He proposed that GCSEs in England would be replaced in core subjects by a qualification called the English Baccalaureate Certificate.
Mr Andrews and his Northern Ireland counterpart expressed their displeasure after Mr Gove made the announcement without consulting them.Mr Andrews and his Northern Ireland counterpart expressed their displeasure after Mr Gove made the announcement without consulting them.