LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — (Marketwire) — 10/21/11 — Following a recent government announcement regarding the exclusion of vocational qualifications from league tables, there will be negative repercussions on students as schools will be forced to move away from them, according to Perspective, the Midlands-based pioneers of software.
Currently there are over 4,800 vocational qualifications available and more than half a million students are studying them. Historically, vocational qualifications have counted towards school league tables, but this is all set to change. Many of the qualifications are equivalent to more than one GCSE and therefore successful students can really boost a school league table position. Qualifications such as an NVQ level 2 in hairdressing, is worth the equivalent of six GCSEs, and an OCR level 2 national certificate in travel and tourism, worth four GCSEs. However, these are likely to be ditched by schools as they can no longer hold such -value- for league table assessment.
Schools will still have the freedom to offer a range of courses but only results in the most rigorous qualifications will boost their position in league tables. This in effect means that vocational qualifications are being downgraded and will ultimately leave students with fewer options.
Paul Davis, managing director of providers Perspective, commented: “Vocational qualifications offer a number of benefits for students and employers alike. As well as the obvious practical skills, they help students develop numeracy and literacy skills and the ability to problem-solve and communicate effectively. This in turn provides appealing qualities which potential employers are seeking. These qualifications should not be discouraged or downgraded as they provide young people with a valid and practical route into employment.”
Despite the announcement, Professor , a public policy expert on the issue, said in her review of vocational education: “Good vocational programmes are … respected, valuable and an important part of our, and any other country-s, educational provision.”
Perspective is a leader in web-based educational management, and learning solutions. Well-known for its intuitive and easy-to-use software, Perspective provides monitoring software to blue chip companies nationwide and to over 60 Local Authorities within the UK.
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Contacts:
Punch Communications
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