Thousands give their view on future of qualifications

Thousands of people have responded to a public consultation on the future of GCSE, AS and A-level qualifications.

Northern Ireland’s Department of Education is to develop a new qualifications policy framework to make the system fit for purpose.

It received more than 3,500 responses from individuals and organisations to the public consultation, which ran from September to November 2025.

The department said almost 4,500 young people also responded to the bespoke survey facilitated by the Education Authority.

Officials also met with a broad range of stakeholders – including pupils, school leaders and teachers – to listen to views and discuss the proposals in depth.

The new qualifications policy framework is to be published in the coming weeks, and is to form the basis for exams body CCEA to develop a new suite of qualifications.

New specifications will be introduced on a phased basis, with first teaching likely to be September 2028.

Education Minister Paul Givan said there is a clear need to ensure qualifications are of high quality and are fit for purpose.

He said: “The consultation has demonstrated strong support for retaining GCSEs and A-levels, while also recognising the need to streamline content and assessment to improve teaching and learning and reduce pressure on teachers and pupils.

“CCEA qualifications must continue to provide effective pathways and progression and keep pace with developments in a rapidly changing technological environment.

“It has been over a decade since CCEA qualifications were last revised.

“My department has undertaken significant consultation and engagement to evaluate current structures and approaches, particularly their impact on teaching and learning, and on teacher and pupil workload.

“These views will help shape the proposed revisions.”

Mr Givan added: “The feedback, along with analysis of research evidence, will inform the way forward. I will set out next steps and publish a new qualifications policy framework for Northern Ireland in the coming weeks.”