18 February 2005
An independent report into the escalating cost of Britain's exam system published this week has spotlighted what it claims is a 'huge amount of superfluous or duplicated information'.
The study, which was sponsored by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and conducted by accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers, reported that the cost of exams across schools and colleges in 2003/04 was £610m and concluded that savings could be made.
Researchers found that £370m was spent on exam boards, test centres and the QCA, with a further £240m spent on staff administering exams. The study assessed the cost of Key Stage 3 tests, as well as GCSEs and A-levels.
The QCA said it was already attempting to streamline its procedures and make savings.
But Dr John Dunford, general secretary of the Secondary Heads Association, said the report showed 'a tragic waste of national resources', claiming that pupils were subject to too many exams.
He called for resources to be given directly to schools, but warned that the search for simple efficiencies in the system should not be the only result of the study. 'I welcome the potential for improved efficiency… but this avoids the real problem. The PwC report states that one awarding body produces 1,200 documents a year, sending material to schools three times a week. It is a nightmare scenario, which must be addressed by the government.'
Dunford called on ministers to implement the exam-related recommendations of Sir Mike Tomlinson's report into education for 14—19 year-olds, which identified ways to reduce the external examinations burden on schools.
A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said: 'The costs reflect… reliable and rigorous external assessment. The modernisation programme should result in a more economic system in the future.'
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