MPs debate Government changes to GCSEs
27 June 2012 (updated on 27 June 2012)
Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Stephen Twigg, moved an Opposition day debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday 26 June on the Government's proposed changes to GCSEs.
GCSEs
The Opposition motion stated "That this House notes the forthcoming consultation on the restructuring of the secondary education system; further notes the proposals reported in the press on Thursday 21 June of Goverment plans for replacing GCSEs with an O-Level and CSE system..."
Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, responded to the debate on behalf of the Government. An urgent question on the Government's proposals was asked on Thursday 21 June.
The Opposition motion was defeated on a division (Ayes 222; Noes 298). A Government amendment to the motion was agreed on a division (Ayes 298; Noes 217).
Watch and read the views expressed by MPs during the debate on Parliament TV and in Commons Hansard. Also find parliamentary material on Schools in the Topics and News sections.
- Parliament TV: Opposition debate on Government proposed changes to GCSEs
- Commons Hansard: Opposition debate on Government proposed changes to GCSEs
- Topics: Schools
- Parliamentary News: Schools
Opposition day debates
Opposition days are days allocated in the House of Commons in each session for the discussion of subjects chosen by the Opposition. Seventeen days are at the disposal of the leader of the largest opposition party to decide which topics are debated. Three days are also allocated to the other smaller opposition parties.
The Opposition generally use them to raise questions of policy and administration. Frequently, two separate subjects are debated on an opposition day.