Exam system is committed to the highest standards

Testing is important. Testing is good. Those basic facts must be the starting point for any consideration of our exam system. There are those who would try to pretend otherwise. But teachers, parents, employers and young people know different. Exam results are not the only way of knowing how good a job a school does - but they are an important part of it. Exams should give young people and their parents' confidence about where their skills and abilities lie. Exams should provide employers with a trustworthy assessment of a young person's aptitudes.

Yesterday's A Level results were another stunning success for Northern Ireland's education system - once again our young people topped the UK's A Level league table. Teachers, parents and young people will know how much hard work was put in=2 0to get those results. Quality teaching, parental support and encouragement, and the work ethic displayed by our young people all must be applauded.

There are, of course, questions that can be constructively asked about the very high level of A Level grades awarded across the UK. We must listen when universities and employers express fears about 'grade inflation'. We must listen when significant educational experts such as Chris Woodhead warn of the need to preserve academic rigor in A Levels.

Northern Ireland A Level results should be a cause for pride. Across the UK, however, there are hard and fair questions to be asked and answered if we want to have confidence that our exams system is to remain committed to the highest standards. Our young people, our schools, our universities, our economy require nothing less.