Are we getting dumber ?

The government have set up a new GCSE system but will it cause more hindrance than help?

The education officials have changed the GCSE system, for maths, English literature and English Language examinations that will take place in Spring 2017, followed by the other subjects the year after. The grades have changed from being A*-U to 9-1, where 9 is the highest and 1 is the lowest, the new passing grade is now a 4. They state that the new GCSE content will be more challenging and fewer Grade 9's will be awarded than previous A*s. These have been changed to help differentiate between student ( particularly higher achieving students).

However many students are finding it hard to adapt to these new skill requirements as they've been taught one way from the beginning of their education and a sudden change had been put down on them. The English exams have become closed book exams, which means they would need to remember the quotes, even though they will have no clue on what the question will be asking them for, suggesting that students must know many quotes throughout the WHOLE novel/play for more than 2 pieces of scripture. the maths paper has become immensely difficult, where students would have previously gotten 90% or above are now getting 50%, the worst parts is that they find it normal or above normal. They have brought down A-level topics to GCSE, which does require hard work and many students cannot seem to get their heads around some of the content.

This pressure could affect the Childs mental stability and how they feel towards education as they could change their opinion.  

' If they wanted to change the education system they should have started it slowly by beginning the education with the younger years so they had time to adapt to the new skill requirements' - Maria Ashraf

Not only are the student effected by this change but so are the teachers. most teachers as well as students are finding it hard to follow the new grading system, it also difficult for teachers to explain to parents why their children are now receiving numbers instead of letters and why their Childs English or maths grades have massively decreased.

Manahil Ullah - Ursuline Academy Ilfor