BRITAIN: The British education secretary, Ms Estelle Morris, yesterday denied that the government pressured exam boards to downgrade exam results, and ordered an inquiry into claims of marking irregularities.
Ms Morris told a news conference it was time to "lance the boil" of a dispute over A-level exams "once and for all".
The initiation of an inquiry, to be headed by the former chief inspector of schools, Mr Mike Tomlinson, comes after three exam boards alleged they had been put under pressure by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), a government body, to downgrade marks to dispel fears that exams are too easy.
"The complaints and allegations which have been made . . . are around the way in which the grade boundaries were set in certain subjects and that they were not done in a proper manner," Ms Morris told the news conference.
"This is a most serious allegation, and I want it investigated speedily and independently."
Ms Morris defended the QCA and her own ministers, dismissing suggestions that the government had sought to influence the exams results.
"It would be entirely wrong for us, or any other government of any persuasion, to get involved in any aspect of marking, assessing or grading students.
"Neither I, nor any of my ministers, have had any conversation of this type with examining bodies."
She said she had asked Mr Tomlinson for an initial report on the allegations within a week.
Asked what would happen if the grade boundaries were found to have been manipulated, she said if that were the case she would demand that the boundaries were reset and all marks reissued to those affected.
"The A-level is the gold standard of our qualifications, and if there is any doubt that the standard is being devalued we must act. These issues cannot, and will not, be left to fester."
A-level results released in August showed a huge jump in the number of passes, prompting a now familiar round of accusations that the exams were getting easier and risk becoming meaningless if pass rates continue to rise.
Almost 95 per cent of pupils passed, with more than 20 per cent achieving top A grades.
Ms Morris sought to stress that most students should have no reason to worry.
"The overall majority of pupils who have been through the A-level system this year, as in previous years, can be absolutely confident that they have been fairly marked and have the right grades."