The Explanatory
Memorandum prepared by the Welsh Government describes the
Bill’s main purposes in the following terms:
The Bill provides
for the establishment of Qualifications Wales as the independent
regulatory body responsible for the recognition of awarding bodies
and the review and approval of non-degree qualifications in Wales.
Qualifications Wales will also, along with the Welsh
Ministers, be responsible for preparing a list of priority
qualifications, designated as such by reason of the significance of
the qualification, having regard to the needs of learners and
employers in Wales. The intention is, through the
establishment of Qualifications Wales, to strengthen the oversight
of qualifications and of the qualification system in
Wales.
The Bill is
intended to address the four main limitations of the current
system. These are outlined in the Explanatory Memorandum
as:
•
there is no single organisation that is dedicated to ensuring the
effectiveness of qualifications and the qualification
system;
•
there are no powers to prioritise qualifications and to thereby
focus regulatory activity where it is most needed – with the
result that there are large numbers of regulated qualifications but
limited resources to ensure effectiveness;
•
there are no powers to select a single provider of a given
qualification to ensure that learners across Wales take the same
qualification; and
•
the capacity to drive forward the strategic development of
qualifications within the current arrangements is too limited -
creating a risk that Wales’ qualifications will not be held
in as high esteem, nationally and internationally, as those in
other nations.
The Bill provides
Qualifications Wales with the following principal aims, and it must
act compatibly with these when exercising its functions:
a) Ensuring that
qualifications, and the Welsh qualification system, are effective
for meeting the reasonable needs of learners in Wales;
and
b) Promoting
public confidence in qualifications and in the Welsh qualification
system.
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Question
1 - Is there a need
for a Bill for the purposes outlined above?
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There is a need
for a Bill in order:
·
to
streamline the number of qualifications and options within
them;
·
to
provide a more robust benchmark for performance measures if
learners in Wales take the same qualification;
·
improved
understanding of qualifications for learners, parents and
employers.
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If you believe there is a need for the Bill,
what are the main issues that need to be resolved?
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Clear communication to learners, parents,
employers and HEIs.
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How significant is this issue? (Please select
one option)
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1 – This is a key, urgent
problem.
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§
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2 – This is a problem that
needs to be addressed.
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§
yES
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§
3 – This is a minor
problem
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§
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4 – Not a problem.
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§
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Question 2
- Do you think the
Bill, as drafted, delivers the stated objectives as set out in the
Explanatory Memorandum?
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Yes, the
objectives reflect the Explanatory Memorandum
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If not, how do you think the Bill should be
amended to take account of this?
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How significant is this issue? (Please select
one option)
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1 – This is a key, urgent
problem.
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§
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2 – This is a problem that
needs to be addressed.
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§
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§
3 – This is a minor
problem
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§
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4 – Not a problem.
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§
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Question 3
- Are the sections
of the Bill as drafted appropriate to bring about the purposes
described above?
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Yes the Bill is
appropriately set out to achieve its purpose
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If not, what
changes do you believe need to be made to the Bill?
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How significant is this issue? (Please select
one option)
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1 – This is a key, urgent
problem.
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§
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2 – This is a problem that
needs to be addressed.
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§
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§
3 – This is a minor
problem
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§
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4 – Not a problem.
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§
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Question 4
- Has the Welsh
Government correctly identified the four main limitations of the
current arrangement, and will the two principal aims the Bill sets
for Qualifications Wales, as well as the eight matters which it
must have regard when exercising its functions, effectively address
these limitations?
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Yes
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If you believe there are problems in this area,
how do you think they could be resolved?
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How significant is this issue? (Please select
one option)
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1 – This is a key, urgent
problem.
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§
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2 – This is a problem that
needs to be addressed.
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§
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§
3 – This is a minor
problem
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§
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4 – Not a problem.
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Question 5
- What are your
views on the proposals for determining ‘priority
qualifications’ and, within these, ‘restricted priority
qualifications’?
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The proposals for
priority qualifications are acceptable for GCSE and A Level; this
will ensure that qualifications have increased robustness and
vigour as well as improved standardisation of outcomes ie an A in
Maths for a Welsh learner is the same A throughout Wales.
Vocational qualifications (IVETs) are vitally important for
engaging learners who need a curriculum which has a balance of
academic and practical, work-related learning. In addition,
these courses also give learners a taster which will lead them to
staying in Wales and supporting regional economic drivers. It is
important that access to the BTEC suite remains unless it is
planned that WJEC produce similar courses.
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If you think there are problems in this area,
how do you think they could be resolved?
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It is important that the gatekeeping process is
as a result of consultation with schools and learners and it is not
‘done’ to them as access to the BTEC suite, for
example, is needed unless it is planned that WJEC produce similar/
identical courses.
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How significant is this issue? (Please select
one option)
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1 – This is a key, urgent
problem.
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§
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2 – This is a problem that
needs to be addressed.
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§
Yes
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§
3 – This is a minor
problem
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§
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4 – Not a problem.
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§
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Question 6
- What are your
views on the commissioning type process Qualifications Wales would
undertake under the Bill, in respect of restricted priority
qualifications?
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The commissioning
process is clear.
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If you believe there are problems in this area,
how do you think they could be resolved?
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How significant is this issue? (Please select
one option)
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1 – This is a key, urgent
problem.
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§
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2 – This is a problem that
needs to be addressed.
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§
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§
3 – This is a minor
problem
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§
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4 – Not a problem.
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§
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Question 7
- How will the Bill
change what organisations do currently and what impact will such
changes have, if any?
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Organisations will
increasingly work with one awarding body for priority subjects
which will impact on improved effectiveness, standardisation,
performance and professional development for teachers.
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If you believe there are problems in this area,
how do you think they could be resolved?
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How significant is this issue? (Please select
one option)
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1 – This is a key, urgent
problem.
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§
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2 – This is a problem that
needs to be addressed.
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§
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§
3 – This is a minor
problem
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§
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4 – Not a problem.
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§
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Question 8
- What are the
potential barriers to implementing the provisions of the Bill (if
any) and does the Bill take account of them?
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There are no
obvious potential barriers.
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If you believe there are problems in this area,
how do you think they could be resolved?
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How significant is this issue? (Please select
one option)
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1 – This is a key, urgent
problem.
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§
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2 – This is a problem that
needs to be addressed.
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§
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§
3 – This is a minor
problem
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§
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4 – Not a problem.
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§
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Question 9
- Do you have any
views on the way in which the Bill falls within the legislative
competence of the National Assembly for Wales?
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No.
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Question
10 - What are your
views on powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate
legislation (i.e. statutory instruments, including regulations,
orders and directions)?
In answering this
question, you may wish to consider Section 5 of the Explanatory
Memorandum, which contains a table summarising the powers delegated
to Welsh Ministers in the Bill to make orders and regulations,
etc.
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No problem with the powers outlined
here.
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Question
11 - What are your
views on the financial implications of the Bill?
In answering this
question you may wish to consider Part 2 of the Explanatory
Memorandum (the Regulatory Impact Assessment), which estimates the
costs and benefits of implementation of the Bill.
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An estimated £38m over the next 5 years in
the current climate of austerity in local government is expensive
although it will give employment to around 70 people? However
having priority qualifications may lead to financial savings in
schools as examination bills have grown hugely over the last few
years.
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Question
12 - Are there any
other comments you wish to make about specific sections of the
Bill?
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No.
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