Peter Weir deserves credit for concerns over teacher-awarded grades

August is always an immensely stressful time for school pupils as examination results, which may determine their progression onto further or higher education, are released.

As an A-level student, two years ago, I can readily empathise with pupils’ position.

2020 will forever reign notorious for the unprecedented fiasco which has engulfed the examination system against the turbulent backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

CCEA’s algorithmic system undoubtedly formulated flawed results which were in no way tailored to an individual student’s ability.

The UK’s devolved administrations performed a hasty U-turn from the publication of A-Level results last week. The examination boards were instructed to revert to the system originally outlined, whereby teacher’s predicted grades were final. However concerns relating to the fairness and transparency of this method are now called into question.

NI education minister Peter Weir’s hand was forced by the rotations introduced by other UK regions. However, he does deserve at least a mark for his acknowledgement of how fair and accurate teachers’ grade predictions, in the absence of standardisation, for A, AS and GCSE levels, will be.

The point appears to have been lost on commentators that teachers themselves often have their class ‘favourites’ to whom they may give preferential treatment, to the detriment of other students.

Where, in this method of grade allocation, is the criteria determining oversight? Will it be CCEA, the Department or the individual school? And is there a procedure of challenge or appeal where students unhappy with their teacher-awarded grades can pursue?

Despite facing unremitting criticism, the minister’s earlier concerns are worthy of credit. As the NI Assembly convened following summer recess for a special sitting on Tuesday these concerns were not even uttered once.

Perhaps someone from the side-lines could raise these points before any further condemnation is levelled at Peter Weir.

This artificial inflation of grades, this week, demonstrates how such impetuous U-turns can create uncertain precedents journeying into the future - not only for pupils and parents but so too for government.

Peter Donnelly

Editor of The Gown

Queen’s University, Belfast