Vocational qualifications should be reformed to ensure clear syllabuses and substantial unseen external examinations, says John Marks in a working paper for the right-wing Institute of Economic Affairs.
Dr Marks, a strong traditionalist and member of the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s council, claims the grading of vocational qualifications is unreliable.
He criticises national vocational qualifications because no compulsory external exams are required, and general national vocational qualifications because of their “inadequate multiple choice tests”.
Vocational Education, Training and Qualifications in Britain: Working Paper Number 1 by John Marks is published by The Institute of Economic Affairs, 2 Lord North Street, London, SW1P 3LB.
