Commenting on the statement from the Education Minister on a new Wales-only grading system for GCSE English Language, Angela Burns AM, Shadow Minister for Education, said:

“This ill-advised announcement sets a dangerous precedent, risks devaluing Welsh GCSEs and confusing employers.

“It is inexplicable why the Minister has singled out GCSE English Language to create different grade boundaries to examinations set in other parts of the UK.

“Can the Minister provide an assurance that grade boundaries in Wales will not be lower than those in England and Northern Ireland?

“If not, this move could easily be interpreted as an attempt to disguise poor performance. Our education system needs rigour, not evasion.

“This unilateral decision could isolate Welsh students and leave with them with second rate qualifications which are less valuable to prospective employers, colleges and universities.

“How can an employer faced with a list of qualifications know whether a student has a ‘Welsh B’, an ‘English B’ or a ‘Northern Irish B’ and appreciate its value?

“The Minister seems hell-bent on pursuing separatist policies to score petty political points instead of standing up for hardworking students.”