Independent body to administer England’s exam system

The exam system in England is to be put in the hands of an independent watchdog to counter criticism that General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams and A–levels (exams taken in the optional final two years of secondary education) are getting easier. The body will be split from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, Education Secretary Ed Balls has announced. He said he wanted to end the “old and sterile debate” about exam standards being “dumbed down.” Balls also unveiled plans to boost literacy and numeracy. “I want to end young people being told that the GCSE or A-level results they are proud of aren’t worth what they used to be.” Read about the proposed changes at BBC NEWS.