Exam U-turn humiliating, says peer

9:03am Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News

A BOLTON peer has branded the Michael Gove’s decision not to scrap GCSEs as “humiliating”.

The Education Secretary announced last week that he was reversing plans to scrap the qualifications in favour of a new Baccalaureate Certificate.

But he said GCSEs would still undergo significant reform.

Speaking in the House of Lords, Labour peer Baroness Taylor of Bolton said: “While there may be rejoicing about this U-turn, it is particularly humiliating for the Secretary of State because of the bravado with which he announced his original plans.

“Many of us still worry that he does not understand the basic problem of trying to be too prescriptive about the national curriculum or an examination system, or the difficulties of not having a proper, coherent examination system in this country.

“Whatever the questions are, the answer is surely not to have a 19th century model of education, as the Secretary of State suggests.”

Baroness Taylor, a former MP for Bolton West and Shadow Education Secretary, added that one of the lessons that the Secretary of State should learn from this experience is the need to consult with head teachers, teachers, employers and parents before coming to a decision, not after the decision has been made.

Comments (10)

10:33am Tue 12 Feb 13

Changing times says...

Another example of Political games. Some may argue that he has actually listened and changed his plans accordingly, not quite sure why this is humiliating.

This Peer just sets a bad example to everyone, when changing your mind should be applauded, especially when a mistake has been recognised.
Another example of Political games. Some may argue that he has actually listened and changed his plans accordingly, not quite sure why this is humiliating. This Peer just sets a bad example to everyone, when changing your mind should be applauded, especially when a mistake has been recognised. Changing times

10:58am Tue 12 Feb 13

exiled says...

More narow minded, biased reporting fromthe socialist BN and the paper's editor. Fair reporting would invite comment from the Minsiter / Department concerned.
More narow minded, biased reporting fromthe socialist BN and the paper's editor. Fair reporting would invite comment from the Minsiter / Department concerned. exiled

7:47pm Tue 12 Feb 13

berushka says...

this shopkeepers daughter was a waste of space as an MP and now even more so, sitting on her pretentious seat in that other place. She hasn't had much to say over the recent years, so why she decided to pop up now is a mystery.
this shopkeepers daughter was a waste of space as an MP and now even more so, sitting on her pretentious seat in that other place. She hasn't had much to say over the recent years, so why she decided to pop up now is a mystery. berushka

8:25pm Tue 12 Feb 13

kat_D :) says...

'head teachers, teachers, employers and parents before coming to a decision'
Why are'nt the students that sit the exams on this list?? Are they not entitled to an opinion about something which will affect their future?? xx
'head teachers, teachers, employers and parents before coming to a decision' Why are'nt the students that sit the exams on this list?? Are they not entitled to an opinion about something which will affect their future?? xx kat_D :)

10:54pm Tue 12 Feb 13

BoltonLancs says...

Good point Kat_D . When it comes to certain subjects, some kids are far wiser than the decision-makers.
Must applaud Mrs Taylor for putting down a Tory minister in such an articulate way, anyone putting a Tory down will always be allowed in any shape or form...
Many people don't seem to remember the divisional policies that the Tories have brought in during their times in power particularly in the 80's, whether it be Education, Employment, Industry, Health, Care...they have NEVER listened to the majority when making such drastic and important decisions (ie dictatorship) and this coalition government is a perfect example of how the Tories will always sneak, connive and pull the rug from under the feet of not only the majority of British people, but from their 'partners' too..!
However, being known as Baroness must be a little humiliating too...
Good point Kat_D . When it comes to certain subjects, some kids are far wiser than the decision-makers. Must applaud Mrs Taylor for putting down a Tory minister in such an articulate way, anyone putting a Tory down will always be allowed in any shape or form... Many people don't seem to remember the divisional policies that the Tories have brought in during their times in power particularly in the 80's, whether it be Education, Employment, Industry, Health, Care...they have NEVER listened to the majority when making such drastic and important decisions (ie dictatorship) and this coalition government is a perfect example of how the Tories will always sneak, connive and pull the rug from under the feet of not only the majority of British people, but from their 'partners' too..! However, being known as Baroness must be a little humiliating too... BoltonLancs

3:01pm Wed 13 Feb 13

berushka says...

BoltonLancs wrote:
Good point Kat_D . When it comes to certain subjects, some kids are far wiser than the decision-makers.
Must applaud Mrs Taylor for putting down a Tory minister in such an articulate way, anyone putting a Tory down will always be allowed in any shape or form...
Many people don't seem to remember the divisional policies that the Tories have brought in during their times in power particularly in the 80's, whether it be Education, Employment, Industry, Health, Care...they have NEVER listened to the majority when making such drastic and important decisions (ie dictatorship) and this coalition government is a perfect example of how the Tories will always sneak, connive and pull the rug from under the feet of not only the majority of British people, but from their 'partners' too..!
However, being known as Baroness must be a little humiliating too...
just proves that your beloved socialists are true capitalists at heart; shouts down anyone who is remotely conservative/rich/be
tter class than she was when sitting as a lazy Labour MP, but can't wait to don the robes and call herself a Baroness. They are all the same, all for the working man, lower classes etc. as long as they don't have to live the same way. Hypocrites the lot of them.
[quote][p][bold]BoltonLancs[/bold] wrote: Good point Kat_D . When it comes to certain subjects, some kids are far wiser than the decision-makers. Must applaud Mrs Taylor for putting down a Tory minister in such an articulate way, anyone putting a Tory down will always be allowed in any shape or form... Many people don't seem to remember the divisional policies that the Tories have brought in during their times in power particularly in the 80's, whether it be Education, Employment, Industry, Health, Care...they have NEVER listened to the majority when making such drastic and important decisions (ie dictatorship) and this coalition government is a perfect example of how the Tories will always sneak, connive and pull the rug from under the feet of not only the majority of British people, but from their 'partners' too..! However, being known as Baroness must be a little humiliating too...[/p][/quote]just proves that your beloved socialists are true capitalists at heart; shouts down anyone who is remotely conservative/rich/be tter class than she was when sitting as a lazy Labour MP, but can't wait to don the robes and call herself a Baroness. They are all the same, all for the working man, lower classes etc. as long as they don't have to live the same way. Hypocrites the lot of them. berushka

10:47pm Wed 13 Feb 13

BoltonLancs says...

My beloved Socialists??? WTF? The last Labour government was almost as bad as the dour, grey 70s and the divisive years of the 80s and 90s. I agree that ANYONE keen to have a title bestowed upon them deserves all the criticism they get because they are obviously in it for themselves, yes Mrs Taylor is a hypocrite. Couldn't see Skinner accepting a title though - an honourable, if not slightly out of date politician...
Point stands that a Tory is an elitist who wishes change to benefit his/her minority class rather than that of the majority, their schemes, initiatives and policies usually mean that a handful of fat cats will get even fatter at our expense (look at the transport Industry fgs!)
I thought Kinnock would have made a great PM, a very wise, thoughtful, conscientious, compromising politician who put his points across brilliantly and he cared passionately about the majority working people and I think Britain would have a thriving manufacturing industry today (like Germany and France) rather than a banking-led joke of an economy if he had been voted in...Peace.
My beloved Socialists??? WTF? The last Labour government was almost as bad as the dour, grey 70s and the divisive years of the 80s and 90s. I agree that ANYONE keen to have a title bestowed upon them deserves all the criticism they get because they are obviously in it for themselves, yes Mrs Taylor is a hypocrite. Couldn't see Skinner accepting a title though - an honourable, if not slightly out of date politician... Point stands that a Tory is an elitist who wishes change to benefit his/her minority class rather than that of the majority, their schemes, initiatives and policies usually mean that a handful of fat cats will get even fatter at our expense (look at the transport Industry fgs!) I thought Kinnock would have made a great PM, a very wise, thoughtful, conscientious, compromising politician who put his points across brilliantly and he cared passionately about the majority working people and I think Britain would have a thriving manufacturing industry today (like Germany and France) rather than a banking-led joke of an economy if he had been voted in...Peace. BoltonLancs

4:47pm Thu 14 Feb 13

berushka says...

Neil Pillock should have stayed in Wales and raised sheep. Surprising how so many of Labour's top members also came from Wales, must be the lack of intelligence coupled with the dream of power. Sure, Conservatives aim to better themselves, that is the way it is, if you have it, make more, if you do not, tough cookies.
Neil Pillock should have stayed in Wales and raised sheep. Surprising how so many of Labour's top members also came from Wales, must be the lack of intelligence coupled with the dream of power. Sure, Conservatives aim to better themselves, that is the way it is, if you have it, make more, if you do not, tough cookies. berushka

11:20pm Thu 14 Feb 13

BoltonLancs says...

lol...you're funny berushka...
lol...you're funny berushka... BoltonLancs

6:39pm Sat 16 Feb 13

berushka says...

BoltonLancs wrote:
lol...you're funny berushka...
I know, and what's more, I speak the truth and probably what a lot of people are thinking. Pity so many comments are made by layabouts who have nothing better to do than watch coronation street or football, drink beer and smoke like an old chimney, and occasionally make remarks on their stolen laptops. Yes, you, you know who I mean, but to give you a clue, one moron has a name that goes with a song, 'silver buckles on his shoe' and another associates with his name with Bolton, but probably lives in Breightmet!
[quote][p][bold]BoltonLancs[/bold] wrote: lol...you're funny berushka...[/p][/quote]I know, and what's more, I speak the truth and probably what a lot of people are thinking. Pity so many comments are made by layabouts who have nothing better to do than watch coronation street or football, drink beer and smoke like an old chimney, and occasionally make remarks on their stolen laptops. Yes, you, you know who I mean, but to give you a clue, one moron has a name that goes with a song, 'silver buckles on his shoe' and another associates with his name with Bolton, but probably lives in Breightmet! berushka

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