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3.5 Deputy M. Tadier of the Minister for Education regarding increases in re-sit fees for GCSEs:
What increases in fees, if any, have occurred in the last year for people wishing to re-sit G.C.S.E.s (General Certificate of Secondary Education), when did those increases take effect, and, if there were such increases, what consultation and assessment, if any, was undertaken in respect of the potential impact on the uptake of re-sits?
Deputy R.G. Bryans of St. Helier (The Minister for Education):
Thank you to the Deputy . This is a matter that is dealt with by the schools rather than the department but I can report there has been no increase in re-sit charges to students in state schools over the past year. The fees for G.C.S.E. re-sits are set by the exam boards in the U.K.; Jersey has no input into or influence over the level of the charge so it is not something we can consult on. If, however, the Deputy has a particular concern, I would be happy to look into it for him.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
Just for clarification, the Minister has mentioned in state schools, does that extend to Highlands College? Could he put on record whether or not the re-sit charges have increased or are about to increase for re-sits in G.C.S.E.s undertaken at Highlands College?
Deputy R.G. Bryans:
I am sorry, I cannot answer that question. I do not know that information so I will have a look at it and come back to the Deputy .
[15:15]
Deputy M. Tadier :
Can I just add for the record, it seems quite unsatisfactory the Minister does not have that information.
The Deputy Bailiff :
No, that has been a supplementary, you will have a final supplementary, Deputy . Deputy M. Tadier :
Can I put it on record it does not seem a good use of States time when it has been lodged for the requisite time from Thursday and the Minister should have looked into all re-sits including Highlands College.
The Deputy Bailiff :
I am sorry, due to that interjection I missed the note of others who wished to ask a question.
- Deputy T.A. Vallois of St. John :
Can the Minister confirm whether the funding for re-sits for G.C.S.E. are taking out of the inflation budget of the schools or whether they have a specific amount dedicated for that particular re-sit?
Deputy R.G. Bryans:
Once again, just to repeat, it is the schools that deal with that. They decide in their own budgets. Just to clarify the issue to some extent because it is worth amplifying where we are with G.C.S.E.s at the moment. The number of re-sits varies considerably depending on what type of G.C.S.E. is taken. If it is still an old style modular course with lots of different elements
marked throughout the 2 years, then there will be more re-sits or re-marks. However, almost all G.C.S.E.s are now moving towards the new linear course with exams at the end of 2 years so there will be fewer re-sits or re-marks. This year in particular our students have taken a mixture. It is the changeover period from one system to another. In future the number of re- sits and re-marks will go down. But to answer the Deputy 's question, it is the schools themselves that make the decision where the money comes from.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
The reason I asked this question is obviously based on information which I have been given to seek to clarify from the Minister, so I would ask the Minister if he can circulate any information that he finds particularly about Highlands College and the re-sits, particularly those in the linear format that he talked about. We are looking at maths and English primarily. People need to re-sit often for higher educational purposes or just for general chances for their C.V.s (curricula vitae), et cetera. So I would be grateful for the Minister to provide that in short order.
Deputy R.G. Bryans:
Of course I am happy to pass it around the Assembly.