Chemistry 'A' Level Marks 'Don't Add Up'

A probe has been ordered into how incorrect results for the Chemistry 'A' level were issued to NI students last week.

The Stormont Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has ordered an external investigation after the Council for Curriculum Examinations and Assessment, (CCEA), announced that many students who sat the Chemistry 'A' level had been advised of incorrect grades.

The Education Minister said: "While I have been advised that no young person should miss out on their university place, this scenario should have never arisen.

"This failure in the CCEA marking process has caused stress and inconvenience to the young people involved and their families, and I very much regret that.

"While I acknowledge the immediate and unequivocal apology from CCEA, the body has clearly fallen short of the high standards of accuracy the public and I, as Minister, expect of a public examinations body.'

She said that early indications suggest that the systems in place were not adhered to, but noted: "I would prefer to await the findings of the external investigation before commenting further on this aspect.

"My officials and I engaged with CCEA over the weekend to ensure that appropriate steps were taken to mitigate the immediate impact of this failure involving the marking of the Chemistry 'A' level multiple choice paper.

"CCEA has advised me that it has rechecked the multiple choice papers of all the A level results released last week.

"They have also rechecked the multiple-choice papers for the GCSE results due to be released on Tuesday," she continued.

"CCEA has contacted the relevant schools and colleges to apprise them of what happened and to advise on the correct grades for the young people affected."

Meanwhile, the CEA is also working with the examination admissions body, UCAS and the Central Admissions Office in the Irish Republic.

"I am advised by CCEA that they do not believe any candidate will miss out on a university place as a result of this failure," she insisted, but said, "A full external investigation will be carried out to determine how the failure occurred.

"I will ensure that the findings and recommendations of this investigation are made public."

It also emerged that she has briefed Reg Empey, the Minister for Employment and Learning, given his responsibility for higher education and will be in communication with her opposite number in the Irish Republic: "I will also be speaking to Mary Coughlan, Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills."

The examination body has now set up a dedicated helpline to deal with enquiries regarding the chemistry 'A' level.

The CCEA helpline number is 028 9026 1403.

(BMcC/GK)