NI 2021 school exams should be CANCELLED says children’s commissioner Koulla Yiasouma

Koulla Yiasouma said that the current situation was “untenable” for schools and young people, and that immediate action must be taken to alleviate it.

She added that members of her consultative youth panel in exam years were extremely anxious about their school experiences.

The commissioner said: “I have since engaged with other young people, teaching unions and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) and I am absolutely clear: the current situation is untenable and the minister (Education Minister Peter Weir) must move to protect the health and wellbeing of our young people.

“My suggestion would be to cancel exams. However, if the minister can come up with an alternative that will dramatically alleviate the stress that young people are under as a result of continuous assessments, then I am very willing to listen.”

In Northern Ireland, GCSE, AS and A-level exams are set to go ahead with Mr Weir saying that exams represent the most valid and reliable method of assessment.

Ms Yiasouma expressed some sympathy with the minister’s desire to avoid doing a “solo run” on cancelling exams because young people will have to compete with young people across the UK for jobs and universities.

However, she added that young people were “suffering mentally” in a bid to ensure every assignment and class test was perfect.

“Young people have reported being continuously assessed, and indeed principals and teachers have confirmed they are continuously assessing,” she said.

“This means young people are in constant ‘exam stress’ mode. They are suffering mentally and it cannot continue for the rest of the school year.

“A decision must be made before Christmas.”

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has also called on the minister to deliver a fair system that addresses the needs of all pupils.

It said: “We remain highly concerned that the minister has prioritised the examinations system over the needs and well-being of our students.”

“Given the current climate, it is vital that mitigations and contingency plans are provided, and schools, pupils and parents are reassured that the exam fiasco of 2020 will not be repeated.”