By Gavin Mackintosh-
Ofqual has announced that students in Britain taking GCSE maths, physics, and combined science exams in 2024 will receive exam aids in the form of formulae and equation sheets, extending support for another academic year due to the lingering effects of the pandemic.
The exams regulator confirmed that students will be provided with the formulae and equation sheets starting January, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the aids before the actual tests.
Clean copies of these aids will be given during the exams, mirroring the ones used in the 2023 exams.
Ofqual’s decision comes after a recent consultation which garnered over 21,000 responses, revealing that 95% of respondents supported the provision of formulae sheets while 96% agreed that equation sheets should be provided.
The consultation also highlighted the unique challenges faced by the 2024 cohort, who were in Year 7 when the first pandemic lockdown occurred.
Ofqual acknowledged the disruption this group of students might have experienced and pointed to the positive impact of exam aids in 2022 and 2023, citing enhanced student confidence in exam preparation.
However, the decision has not been without controversy. Some argue that offering additional support almost three years post-pandemic raises questions about its legitimacy, particularly when other countries have not adopted similar measures.
Critics contend that the decision might be perceived as helping students cut corners or undermine the integrity of the examination process.
Naz Rina, a secondary school teacher in East London and researcher in the education sector, told The Eye Of Media.Com: ”Students will not be complaining about the extra support, but pupils by now have had enough time to catch up with lost work.
‘They should not still be benefiting from extra privileges due to the pandemic of a few years ago which is now over”.
Others believe that any supportive measures by the government should not be criticized, given the pressures of exams, and the fact pupils build up on what they are taught’
The outgoing Chief Regulator of Ofqual, Dr. Jo Saxton, who previously confirmed that there would be no grading protection in 2024, emphasized the regulator’s commitment to returning to pre-pandemic standards.
This summer’s exams marked the end of a two-year plan to remove pandemic inflation, with the aim of reestablishing a benchmark that aligns with the knowledge and skills students need to achieve specific grades.
The decision to extend exam aids for another year has drawn mixed reactions from students and educators. While some students expressed gratitude for the additional support, citing the disruption to their foundational education during the pandemic, others felt that the decision came too late.
Jason Lawson, a 15 year old student from Crampton Manor Academy in East London said: ‘Any support from the system is good and positive. It does not really matter that the pandemic happened few years ago because it is impossible to fully measure the lasting effects of lost academic support during that period.
‘The support that will be offered will not make it easy for a weak student to suddenly do well. All it does is try to compensate for the potential long term effects of the pandemic on some students.
It won’t make much difference to a lot of students, but those who benefit from it should be allowed to do so”.
Shelly Hall , 15 from Herne Hill School said: ” I think it is good that support is being offered to help GCSE students in their exams whatever the reason. Examiners would not provide any help to students that totally defeat the purpose of the exam,
The controversy surrounding Ofqual’s decision highlights the ongoing challenges in navigating education in the post-pandemic era.