Consultation on the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill
Evidence submitted to the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill.
Individual
1. The Bill’s general principles
1.1 Do you support the principles of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill?
Yes
1.2 Please outline your reasons for your answer to question 1.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1500 words)
Yes, in some way I would support the principle outlined in this proposal, because it is important to recognise the skills that will need be used in the future, as well as providing a good learning experience for all pupils. However when it comes to the exam system or the at student’s are assessed I don’t think the new curriculum supports this at all. It need to consider other options for assessing students like,
We should get more options like,
- Coursework
- open book exams
- An online exam this would reduce pressure on staff on student in years to come. Reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection in communities and an increase deaths.
The pandemic has shone a light on the floors the exam has had on many student’s including myself - we must change it for the better. No student should be put at greater risk of getting Covid-19 from having to sit exams. There are fairer and much safer ways now during the pandemic to get the student’s the grades they want. You don’t need an exam paper to tell your future. It is a form of discrimination!
1.3 Do you think there is a need for legislation to deliver what this Bill is trying to achieve?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
Yes, because due to the coronavirus pandemic it had shown that exam are not the best way to test students. They just cause more stress and pressure leading to other health conditions to be created. The pandemic has shone a light on the floors the exam has had on many student’s including myself - we must change it for the better. No student should be put at greater risk of getting Covid-19 from having to sit exams. There are fairer and much safer ways now during the pandemic to get the student’s the grades they want. You don’t need an exam paper to tell your future. It is a form of discrimination!
2. The Bill’s implementation
2.1 Do you have any comments about any potential barriers to implementing the Bill? If no, go to question 3.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
One potential barrier that could be caused by the bill being implemented would be issues of increased stress and mental
health conditions.
As I suffer with a learning disability and a medical condition, I feel quite stressed out by the current system and the old system that we are using to grade students, there should be a much better and fairer system.
To reduce stress and anxiety for future students taking A-levels and GCSE subject as well as those re-sitting, they think and pass on this petition to the UK government and other students, and parents to stronger consider whether maybe making students who feel stressed and anxious about taking exams would be able to do coursework instead or go for the ‘OPEN book exam model’, which therefore, enables students to take in textbooks, or prepared resources like class notes making it easier to recall information and less stress and anxiety.
The old system is unfair and not fit for purpose, because, it does not look at the student as an individual and their circumstances.
- Next, the government in charge seem to think that exam’s are the way forward - they are certainly not in my opinion, because, they leave the more disadvantaged feel more impact compared to other student’s.
- Next they don’t take all student’s difficulties like: medical or leaning disabilities which put them at greater risk in terms of their life chances.
- Finally, they don’t give student like myself any other options but to sit exam’s which leave you worse off. I have special educational needs which makes it even more difficult to get my qualifications.
2.2 Do you think the Bill takes account of these potential barriers?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
No. The current bill that is being proposed does not take into account the potential barriers, which have been identified below:
The old system is unfair and not fit for purpose, because, it does not look at the student as an individual and their circumstances.
- Next, the government in charge seem to think that exam’s are the way forward - they are certainly not in my opinion, because, they leave the more disadvantaged feel more impact compared to other student’s.
- Next they don’t take all student’s difficulties like: medical or leaning disabilities which put them at greater risk in terms of their life chances. As a student who has said in the pervious email about they suffer with a learning difficulty and a medical condition, I feel that the old system used be for the pandemic should be SCRAPPED!!! It is not fit for purpose, because, it does not go for enough for people like myself and feel very let down, and feel discriminated against when I get my results of having a learning disability and learning difficult plus a medical condition. Disgraceful!!!
Also, the exams are unfair for students like myself, because, feel taking a exam as the only option.
Plus a paper based exam which when it get marked does not incapacitate/ take into account my disability or medication condition, it makes me feel like they don’t say what they do exam Criteria. And mark me down for these aspects!!
- Finally, they don’t give student like myself any other options but to sit exam’s which leave you worse off. I have special educational needs which makes it even more difficult to get my qualifications.
3. Unintended consequences
3.1 Do you think there are there any unintended consequences arising from the Bill? If no, go to question 4.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
As I suffer with a learning disability and a medical condition, I feel quite stressed out by the current system and the old system that we are using to grade students, there should be a much better and fairer system. It could therefore leave me and many other students out.
4. Financial implications
4.1 Do you have any comments on the financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum)? If no, go to question 5.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
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5. Powers to make subordinate legislation
5.1 Do you have any comments on the appropriateness of the powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation (as set out in Chapter 5 of Part 1 of the Explanatory Memorandum). If no, go to question 6.1.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
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6. Other considerations
6.1 Do you have any other points you wish to raise about this Bill?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
- It needs to ensure that it allows students to choose how they are assessed when it comes to exams and in lessons.
- Ensure that students health and well-being is a put first
- Make sure there is more focus on people with disabilities in education.