GCSEs will be scrapped to make way for 'EBacc's - a new, much harder exam system...
Quote:
The biggest shakeup of the exam system for English secondary schools in a generation was unveiled as ministers said GCSEs would be scrapped in favour of a revamped English Baccalaureate qualification from 2017.
As education experts raised concerns that less academically gifted pupils could be left behind by the new "EBacc", the education secretary, Michael Gove, confirmed that a sizeable proportion of students would leave school with no qualifications. Students who find the new exams "difficult" will be given a "detailed record of their achievement" by their schools, which will be forwarded to further education colleges where they will be encouraged to sit the exams later, aged 17 or 18.
The confirmation that a large number of students will leave school without a qualification is likely to intensify criticism. The National Union of Teachers said ministers were creating a two-tier system.
This had to happen. The UK's education system is fairly shoddy. That's why, in part, it has one of the lowest human development indexes in Europe. I mean...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11950992
They needed to shake these lazy ass kids up. All these kids crying over their English getting marked down this summer (btw I sat my GCSE's aswell and got good results).
When kids are complaining from C's and D's (although C is a pass), it should be implemented to kids that getting C's (and this only affected FOUNDATION students not higher) would not be near enough qualification do even try going into further education or anything else for that matter. Rather give them a realistic D.
Is this to do with the International Baccalaureate?
The English Education system is ridiculously flawed; they've trialed and changed so many things with failure to settle on a suitable system. They need to make up their dim minds and do what's best for the kids that actually want to learn.
Edit: I actually read it now. So they're seriously scrapping the whole GCSE phase just to replace it so everyone gets an English Baccalaureate? Will that really benefit the kids by limiting them to the subjects required for the degree?
The education system undoubtedly needs a reform, to an extent, and all though there are positives to the EBac, it mainly seems to be promoting elitism, so it isn't just a question of calling kids lazy. I'd have to agree with the general consensus that the EBac seems out of date and out of touch with todays younger generation.
But I hate the Tories so anything they do I will be inclined to disapprove of
Well just a little addition, I take English language as one of my AS Levels and I got into quite a good college (was placed number 1 in the UK in 06 and in various other places the following years).
Anyway, as someone from a working class, not private schooled in anyway and the same with many others that got in to this college and who are in my class for English Language, can tell you that GCSE English is nothing compared to A Levels. A lot more terminology and the fact basics are not even taught in the curriculum's set by the exams board (basics like what's a noun, verb e.t.c - no joke 16 yr olds at this good college taking English had no idea how to define them).
Basically English needs a real shake up, with quite a few subjects. We've constantly been rechanging exams so often that the GCSE's I got this summer will have no credit or value come next year because they'll be too out of context with what seems "fit" and "current".
It's just utter bs 
And since I'm trying to apply for medicine, no a*s at GCSE is a major drawback for me 
