The public is being urged to participate in a consultation exercise that will determine the qualifications Island students study for in the future.
 
The Department of Education and Children will launch its major consultation at the ‘Reach Higher’ conference on the employability of the Island’s young people, taking place at the Mount Murray Hotel and Country Club on Wednesday 2nd April.
 
With GCSEs being overhauled in England from 2015, the Island is reviewing the way forward it will take, with three options being discussed – following the route England takes on GCSEs, switching to the International GCSE (IGCSE) or switching to the Scottish qualifications National 4 and National 5.
 
Tim Crookall MHK, Minister for Education and Children, will use the conference to introduce the consultation, which will run until May 16th.
 
He said: ‘This is an important opportunity for pupils, parents, employers, teachers, pupils and anyone with an interest in 14-16 education to contribute to the decision on the best way forward
 
‘The Isle of Man has a real choice to make and I am very keen to involve the wider community in this consultation process and to hear people’s views.’
 
From 2nd April, the consultation will be available at survey monkey on www.surveymonkey.com/s/V3N3CXQ and via www.gov.im/consultations.gov
 
News about the survey can be followed via a specially set up Facebook page – www.facebook.com/examreform.