Latest news with #GCSE
Wales Online
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Exam bosses accused of 'patronising' Wales and students in Welsh GCSE paper
Exam bosses accused of 'patronising' Wales and students in Welsh GCSE paper Exam board WJEC and regulator Qualifications Wales argued the works look at themes of identity and diversity Nia Morais is Bardd Plant Cymru for 2023-2025 (Image: copyright unknown ) Exam bosses have been accused of "patronising" Welsh literature and students in a recent GCSE exam. Instead of using the wealth of Welsh writing available the WJEC commissioned specially written works for its exam paper for second language learners. Exam board WJEC and regulator Qualifications Wales said the works look at themes of identity and diversity. Critics say these ideas are already explored in centuries of Welsh literature and it would be unthinkable to commission made-for-exam writing for English GCSEs. "This is like saying the quality isn't there in Welsh literature. It's unimaginable to think they'd do this for the English exam," said one teacher. The WJEC commissioned the current Bardd Cymru, Nia Morais and critically acclaimed poet Aneirin Karadog to write pieces looking at race and LGBTQ issue among other themes for the GCSE unit four paper. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Aneirin Karadog is a former children's Poet Laureate for Wales The exam board said its qualification development team "searched extensively to select text that represent today's Wales". Article continues below Adding: "They selected authors from diverse backgrounds across Wales, each bringing different themes through a mixture of short stories and poems. These texts will allow learners to explore different perspectives, cultures, themes and study contributions from BAME communities at a local, national and international level. " But although this initial collection successfully reflected Wales' diversity, the team "recognised the absence of poems that would support the qualification's objectives" and decided to commission the two "distinguished" Welsh poets to develop new pieces to form part of exam texts. Aneirin Karadog's piece 'Y Daith' (The Journey) uses an LGBTQ+ love story to examine language, identity and culture while Nia Morais' poem, 'Llwybrau' (Pathways) considers identity and diversity. One teacher, who did not want to be named said the works were "OK" but "not that good" and he wasn't clear why the exam board had chosen those themes, which were, in any case, already explored in the "universal themes" across Welsh language literature. "This is condescending to Wales and Welsh literatire and to students as it assumers they cannot access Welsh literature as it is. We want to be as ambitious as we can as teachers. "There are loads of great poems already out there that would have been more accessible. It is a bit odd as both poems they commissioned are free-form without regular rhythm or traditional meters. If the point is to gain more Welsh speakers and welcome young people into the language and culture then don't assume they won't cope by commissioning work especially. "These new poems have not been around for long and however good, or not, they are they have had no cultural impact. It feels inauthentic. "These poets have done good things, but these commissioned poems have come out of nowhere. They are interesting but not as good as some of the poems already written that they could have chosen, in my opinion ." The second language Welsh GCSE was reformed pre-pandemic and now has four units. Units one and two are speaking and three reading and writing while paper four brings in literature. Quoted on the WJEC website the GCSE exam paper commissioned poets said they were delighted. Describing her inspiration for her poem, Nia Morais, a writer from Cardiff, said : 'My father's family is from Cabo Verde in West Africa, and I also have family in Portugal. This is a poem I have written as a letter to my grandmother and grandfather, remembering the longing for cultural connection I felt as a teenager, and celebrating my mixed heritage. "I hope the poem will strike a chord with the young people of Wales and start discussions in the classroom about the diverse identities that can be seen in Wales today." Nia has an MA in creative writing from Cardiff University and in 2020, she released her first audio play, Crafangau, as part of Sherman Theatre's Heart of Cardiff project. She has been Writer in Residence at Sherman Theatre and her first full play Imrie, co-produced by Frân Wen and Sherman Theatre, toured Wales over the summer of 2023. Nia was a member of the Tir na n-Og Awards judging panel in 2021, and also part of the Literature Wales' Representing Wales writers development programme the same year. Nia writes for children and adults. Describing his experience of working with WJEC, poet Aneirin Karadog said : "It was a pleasure and a privilege to collaborate with WJEC on providing a literary element for the new GCSE in Core Cymraeg. "Presenting literature to those who aren't native Welsh speakers is a radical change, which is to be welcomed. Having the opportunity to create a piece of poetry that would be suitable, understandable and offer entertaining and interesting discussion points, was an experience I really enjoyed. I hope that my personal passion for the language will pass on to a generation, or possibly, new generations of Welsh speakers." Aneirin, the son of a Welsh father and a Breton mother speaks five languages – Welsh, Breton, French, Spanish and English – and writes poetry in the strict Welsh meter called Cynghanedd and in free verse. He was awarded the distinguished scholarship in the Royal National Eisteddfod and he has won the National Urdd Eisteddfod Chair. Exams regulator Qualifications Wales said: "The new range of 14-16 Cymraeg qualifications have been designed to align with Curriculum for Wales. In setting design requirements, Qualifications Wales considered the need for learners to engage with an appropriate range of written and literary forms which reflect the diverse nature of Welsh citizenship and its cultures. "We also wanted learners to be able to gain an awareness of Welsh heritage and the value of Welsh literature and culture in society today. "The poems that have been commissioned by WJEC for the new GCSE Core Cymraeg provide engaging opportunities for learners to explore these cross-cutting themes whilst developing their Cymraeg skills. Support will be provided by WJEC in the Guidance for Teaching and the package of Professional Learning." A WJEC spokesperson said: "As part of our new GCSEs in Core Cymraeg and Welsh Language and Literature, learners will have the opportunity to explore a range of poets and poetic styles. Article continues below "To meet Qualifications Wales' approval criteria for our GCSE in Core Cymraeg, we commissioned two critically acclaimed Welsh poets, Aneirin Karadog and Nia Morais to produce two new poems. These new poems offer learners texts that reflect the heritage of the language, whilst also celebrate the diversity seen across Wales. "These materials are available for free to centres, and are supported by a package of free digital resources. For our GCSE in Welsh Language and Literature, learners will study six poems, from at least three poets. Schools can choose their own poets/poems in accordance with the requirements, which are outlined in our specification."
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
Primary school pupils using screens for tests is ‘normalising' use, Tories claim
Shadow education secretary Laura Trott said the Government was instilling screen usage for children as young as four, as the Government came under pressure to ban smartphones in schools. Ms Trott said the policy was supported by teachers, health professionals and parents. She said: 'Every day we have new evidence of the harm screens are doing. So why is the Education Secretary (Bridget Phillipson) ignoring this, and still pressing ahead with screen-based assessments for children as young as four from September? 'Does she accept that this is normalising screen time for young people, which is the opposite of what we should be doing?' Education minister Stephen Morgan said: 'Is this all she can go on? Frankly, after 14 years, they broke the education system. As I said, there's guidance already in place for schools, the majority of schools already have a ban in place on mobile phone use.' Earlier in the Commons, Mr Morgan had told MPs mobile phones had 'no place' in schools. He said Government guidance said schools should ban the use of smartphones during the school day. However ,he said it was up to schools to use their powers to take them off pupils. Conservative MPs raised the links between mobile phone usage and violent behaviour, as well as schools with bans having better grades on average. Conservative MP Sarah Bool (South Northamptonshire) said: 'Schools with smartphone bans were rated higher by Ofsted, and their students achieved better GCSE results. So all the evidence shows the benefit of banning smartphones in schools. 'But the Government is simply issuing non-statutory guidance and passing the buck. So does the minister not understand the evidence, need more evidence, or do you not trust the Government to be able to implement a ban on smartphones in schools?' Meanwhile, John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) said: 'Mobile phones in classrooms are linked to disruptive and violent behaviour. So does the minister agree with me that mobile phones should be banned in all schools, so the children are focused on their education and not glued to Instagram and TikTok?' While in government, the then Conservative education secretary, Gillian Keegan, sent guidance to schools that told headteachers they could ban mobile phones during the school day. However, this was short of an out-and-out ban. Since their election defeat last year, the Conservatives have pushed for Labour to introduce a full ban. In March, it tried to amend Labour's flagship education policy to legally prohibit smartphone usage. A Government spokesperson said the existing guidance meant about 97% of schools restrict mobile phone use in some way. Studies are unclear on the impact of a smartphone ban. One by the University of Birmingham, published in the Lancet earlier this year, suggested there was no link. Replying to Ms Bool, Mr Morgan said: 'I'll take no lectures from the benches opposite on this. When in government, they exclaimed the same guidance meant a consistent approach across all schools. So you have to ask, were they wrong then, are they wrong now?'
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Primary school pupils using screens for tests is ‘normalising' use, Tories claim
Shadow education secretary Laura Trott said the Government was instilling screen usage for children as young as four, as the Government came under pressure to ban smartphones in schools. Ms Trott said the policy was supported by teachers, health professionals and parents. She said: 'Every day we have new evidence of the harm screens are doing. So why is the Education Secretary (Bridget Phillipson) ignoring this, and still pressing ahead with screen-based assessments for children as young as four from September? 'Does she accept that this is normalising screen time for young people, which is the opposite of what we should be doing?' Education minister Stephen Morgan said: 'Is this all she can go on? Frankly, after 14 years, they broke the education system. As I said, there's guidance already in place for schools, the majority of schools already have a ban in place on mobile phone use.' Earlier in the Commons, Mr Morgan had told MPs mobile phones had 'no place' in schools. He said Government guidance said schools should ban the use of smartphones during the school day. However ,he said it was up to schools to use their powers to take them off pupils. Conservative MPs raised the links between mobile phone usage and violent behaviour, as well as schools with bans having better grades on average. Conservative MP Sarah Bool (South Northamptonshire) said: 'Schools with smartphone bans were rated higher by Ofsted, and their students achieved better GCSE results. So all the evidence shows the benefit of banning smartphones in schools. 'But the Government is simply issuing non-statutory guidance and passing the buck. So does the minister not understand the evidence, need more evidence, or do you not trust the Government to be able to implement a ban on smartphones in schools?' Meanwhile, John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) said: 'Mobile phones in classrooms are linked to disruptive and violent behaviour. So does the minister agree with me that mobile phones should be banned in all schools, so the children are focused on their education and not glued to Instagram and TikTok?' While in government, the then Conservative education secretary, Gillian Keegan, sent guidance to schools that told headteachers they could ban mobile phones during the school day. However, this was short of an out-and-out ban. Since their election defeat last year, the Conservatives have pushed for Labour to introduce a full ban. In March, it tried to amend Labour's flagship education policy to legally prohibit smartphone usage. A Government spokesperson said the existing guidance meant about 97% of schools restrict mobile phone use in some way. Studies are unclear on the impact of a smartphone ban. One by the University of Birmingham, published in the Lancet earlier this year, suggested there was no link. Replying to Ms Bool, Mr Morgan said: 'I'll take no lectures from the benches opposite on this. When in government, they exclaimed the same guidance meant a consistent approach across all schools. So you have to ask, were they wrong then, are they wrong now?'
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Primary school pupils using screens for tests is ‘normalising' use, Tories claim
Shadow education secretary Laura Trott said the Government was instilling screen usage for children as young as four, as the Government came under pressure to ban smartphones in schools. Ms Trott said the policy was supported by teachers, health professionals and parents. She said: 'Every day we have new evidence of the harm screens are doing. So why is the Education Secretary (Bridget Phillipson) ignoring this, and still pressing ahead with screen-based assessments for children as young as four from September? 'Does she accept that this is normalising screen time for young people, which is the opposite of what we should be doing?' Education minister Stephen Morgan said: 'Is this all she can go on? Frankly, after 14 years, they broke the education system. As I said, there's guidance already in place for schools, the majority of schools already have a ban in place on mobile phone use.' Earlier in the Commons, Mr Morgan had told MPs mobile phones had 'no place' in schools. He said Government guidance said schools should ban the use of smartphones during the school day. However ,he said it was up to schools to use their powers to take them off pupils. Conservative MPs raised the links between mobile phone usage and violent behaviour, as well as schools with bans having better grades on average. Conservative MP Sarah Bool (South Northamptonshire) said: 'Schools with smartphone bans were rated higher by Ofsted, and their students achieved better GCSE results. So all the evidence shows the benefit of banning smartphones in schools. 'But the Government is simply issuing non-statutory guidance and passing the buck. So does the minister not understand the evidence, need more evidence, or do you not trust the Government to be able to implement a ban on smartphones in schools?' Meanwhile, John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) said: 'Mobile phones in classrooms are linked to disruptive and violent behaviour. So does the minister agree with me that mobile phones should be banned in all schools, so the children are focused on their education and not glued to Instagram and TikTok?' While in government, the then Conservative education secretary, Gillian Keegan, sent guidance to schools that told headteachers they could ban mobile phones during the school day. However, this was short of an out-and-out ban. Since their election defeat last year, the Conservatives have pushed for Labour to introduce a full ban. In March, it tried to amend Labour's flagship education policy to legally prohibit smartphone usage. A Government spokesperson said the existing guidance meant about 97% of schools restrict mobile phone use in some way. Studies are unclear on the impact of a smartphone ban. One by the University of Birmingham, published in the Lancet earlier this year, suggested there was no link. Replying to Ms Bool, Mr Morgan said: 'I'll take no lectures from the benches opposite on this. When in government, they exclaimed the same guidance meant a consistent approach across all schools. So you have to ask, were they wrong then, are they wrong now?'
Rhyl Journal
4 days ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Primary school pupils using screens for tests is ‘normalising' use, Tories claim
Shadow education secretary Laura Trott said the Government was instilling screen usage for children as young as four, as the Government came under pressure to ban smartphones in schools. Ms Trott said the policy was supported by teachers, health professionals and parents. She said: 'Every day we have new evidence of the harm screens are doing. So why is the Education Secretary (Bridget Phillipson) ignoring this, and still pressing ahead with screen-based assessments for children as young as four from September? 'Does she accept that this is normalising screen time for young people, which is the opposite of what we should be doing?' Education minister Stephen Morgan said: 'Is this all she can go on? Frankly, after 14 years, they broke the education system. As I said, there's guidance already in place for schools, the majority of schools already have a ban in place on mobile phone use.' Earlier in the Commons, Mr Morgan had told MPs mobile phones had 'no place' in schools. He said Government guidance said schools should ban the use of smartphones during the school day. However ,he said it was up to schools to use their powers to take them off pupils. Conservative MPs raised the links between mobile phone usage and violent behaviour, as well as schools with bans having better grades on average. Conservative MP Sarah Bool (South Northamptonshire) said: 'Schools with smartphone bans were rated higher by Ofsted, and their students achieved better GCSE results. So all the evidence shows the benefit of banning smartphones in schools. 'But the Government is simply issuing non-statutory guidance and passing the buck. So does the minister not understand the evidence, need more evidence, or do you not trust the Government to be able to implement a ban on smartphones in schools?' Meanwhile, John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) said: 'Mobile phones in classrooms are linked to disruptive and violent behaviour. So does the minister agree with me that mobile phones should be banned in all schools, so the children are focused on their education and not glued to Instagram and TikTok?' While in government, the then Conservative education secretary, Gillian Keegan, sent guidance to schools that told headteachers they could ban mobile phones during the school day. However, this was short of an out-and-out ban. Since their election defeat last year, the Conservatives have pushed for Labour to introduce a full ban. In March, it tried to amend Labour's flagship education policy to legally prohibit smartphone usage. A Government spokesperson said the existing guidance meant about 97% of schools restrict mobile phone use in some way. Studies are unclear on the impact of a smartphone ban. One by the University of Birmingham, published in the Lancet earlier this year, suggested there was no link. Replying to Ms Bool, Mr Morgan said: 'I'll take no lectures from the benches opposite on this. When in government, they exclaimed the same guidance meant a consistent approach across all schools. So you have to ask, were they wrong then, are they wrong now?'
