Heads turn up heat on exam boards
Headteachers today demanded the resignations of exam officials if it is proved they took part in an alleged conspiracy to prevent too many students from getting good A-levels this year. Two of the three main exam boards have been accused of manipulating grade boundaries to counter claims that the “gold standard” exam has become too easy. Both boards have denied the allegations.
School work tops list of child stress
Homework and exams are much more likely to cause children stress than peer pressure to be “trendy” and have a boyfriend or girlfriend, a survey showed today. Doing well at school topped the list of the five most common worries of five to 16-year-olds, according to research for computer firm RM.
Ulster exports economics to Middle East
Ulster University is to host a major economic conference in November that aims to bring Northern Ireland’s post-conflict economic renaissance to the Middle East. It is the brainchild of the Northern Ireland/Middle East Connection, a private-sector initiative created by American entrepreneurs including UU honorary graduate John Cullinane.
China-Britain Centre gets go-ahead
The University of Abertay Dundee has launched a new series of Scottish-Chinese links including a joint degree with Nanchang University in information technology and internet computing, the only programme of its kind to win Chinese government approval. Nanchang has opened a China-Britain Centre as a bridge between the two institutions.