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Diplomas to challenge A-levels Diplomas to challenge A-levels
(10 minutes later)
Diplomas could become the "qualification of choice", says the Schools Secretary Ed Balls, raising the prospect they will replace A-levels.Diplomas could become the "qualification of choice", says the Schools Secretary Ed Balls, raising the prospect they will replace A-levels.
Mr Balls has announced new diplomas in academic subject areas - science, languages and the humanities - for 14-19 year olds in England.Mr Balls has announced new diplomas in academic subject areas - science, languages and the humanities - for 14-19 year olds in England.
The NUT teachers' union says this is a "fundamental change of heart".The NUT teachers' union says this is a "fundamental change of heart".
But Mr Balls says that there is no "pre-judged" assumption that A-levels will disappear.But Mr Balls says that there is no "pre-judged" assumption that A-levels will disappear.
Balancing act
Diplomas, a new type of qualification intended to bridge the divide between academic and vocational learning, are to be initially introduced from next year, in a limited range of vocational subjects.Diplomas, a new type of qualification intended to bridge the divide between academic and vocational learning, are to be initially introduced from next year, in a limited range of vocational subjects.
However the diplomas announced on Tuesday are in the areas that have traditionally been associated with academic A-levels - raising an expectation that this is a push towards diplomas incorporating or replacing A-levels.However the diplomas announced on Tuesday are in the areas that have traditionally been associated with academic A-levels - raising an expectation that this is a push towards diplomas incorporating or replacing A-levels.
Balancing act
But speaking at the CBI's conference centre in London, Mr Balls sought to balance the strengthening of the new diploma qualification with reassurance that the A-level is not under immediate threat.But speaking at the CBI's conference centre in London, Mr Balls sought to balance the strengthening of the new diploma qualification with reassurance that the A-level is not under immediate threat.
"If diplomas are successfully introduced and are delivering the mix that employers and universities value, they could become the qualification of choice for young people," said Mr Balls."If diplomas are successfully introduced and are delivering the mix that employers and universities value, they could become the qualification of choice for young people," said Mr Balls.
But he emphasised that he had rejected plans to remove A-levels - saying that it would depend on how both sets of qualifications were valued in five years.But he emphasised that he had rejected plans to remove A-levels - saying that it would depend on how both sets of qualifications were valued in five years.
It is "not a matter for us to pre-judge," said Mr Balls, speaking alongside representatives of employers and universities - and Sir Mike Tomlinson, who had been the architect of a previous proposal for a single qualification.It is "not a matter for us to pre-judge," said Mr Balls, speaking alongside representatives of employers and universities - and Sir Mike Tomlinson, who had been the architect of a previous proposal for a single qualification.
The introduction of these subject-based diplomas, which will be available from 2011, was seen by the National Union of Teachers as a reversal of the government's decision not to adopt the Tomlinson plan to bring together A-levels with vocational exams. 'Fundamentally wrong'
The introduction of these subject-based diplomas, which will be available from 2011, was seen by the National Union of Teachers as a reversal of the government's decision not to adopt the Tomlinson plan in 2004 to bring together A-levels with vocational exams.
The announcement shows that the "decision to ditch Tomlinson's 14-19 reform proposals was fundamentally wrong," says the NUT's general secretary, Steve Sinnott.The announcement shows that the "decision to ditch Tomlinson's 14-19 reform proposals was fundamentally wrong," says the NUT's general secretary, Steve Sinnott.
There have already been 14 diploma qualifications announced, with the first five - construction and the built environment, creative and media, engineering, information technology and society, health and development - beginning in autumn 2008.There have already been 14 diploma qualifications announced, with the first five - construction and the built environment, creative and media, engineering, information technology and society, health and development - beginning in autumn 2008.
All of the diploma qualifications will include a basic skills element, in English, maths and information technology.All of the diploma qualifications will include a basic skills element, in English, maths and information technology.