The future of the A Level system is in doubt after education secretary Estelle Morris said she would embark on a no-holds barred review of the exams system.

Her comments were seen as fresh evidence that the government is set to ditch the qualification in favour of a wider baccalaureate exams system.

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

John Bangs, head of education at the National Union of Teachers, told ePolitix.com: "There has clearly been incompetence at [the exam board] OCR and we have to find out whether the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has contributed to this. It is totally unacceptable that even a minority of young people should have their futures jeopardised by such incompetence.

"But there is now a greater danger. The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, apparently supported by National Association Headteachers and the Secondary Heads Association, are colluding in undermining the confidence of young people, parents and the public as a whole in the entire post-16 examination system.

"Their public utterances make it clear that their version of a home-grown baccalaureate should replace the current A and AS levels because there is no longer any confidence in them.

"This view is totally irresponsible and if sustained will blight the futures of young people in the next few years in ways which will make the current controversy pale into insignificance.

"I call on the HMC, NAHT and SHA to express confidence in A and AS Levels for the sake of all young people about to take post-16 examinations this year.

"I agree with [schools minister] David Miliband, we should be celebrating the success of young people and their teachers not seeking to undermine it. However, I am somewhat concerned that the secretary of state failed to detect the danger of the comments of NAHT, SHA and HMC.

"The NUT has called for consistently a baccalaureate type qualification. It was because of government panic in 1997 that it was not introduced. There are still arguments for introduction of this type of qualification and we would wish to promote its trial run and development after full consultation with parents and teachers.

"But it must not become an elite qualification for entrance to elite universities introduced to satisfy the selfish arrogance of a small minority of schools. I would question the motives of the HMC and others at this time for promoting a baccalaureate at the expense of A and AS Levels. Exam change should be the result of serious consideration and not a panic response.

"The current difficulties with A and AS Levels arise from grade boundaries not the content of the exam. They affect one exam board only and can be resolved.

"I call on all those with a stake in the future of young people to express confidence in the A and AS Level system. To do anything else would be to undermine comprehensive education itself."

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Alison Johnston, senior professional officer for the Professional Association of Teachers, told ePolitix.com: "We are in favour of a more flexible curriculum that can develop the skills and meet the needs of all pupils. We would also like to see fewer exams, as students are currently over-tested.

"We would welcome the opportunity to be involved in any debate on the future of education for our 16 to 19 year olds. PAT has always advocated the need for a broader curriculum, which, of course, was the purpose of AS levels. We will follow with interest the pilot study in Wales which is looking at a baccalaureate approach.

"However, we mustn't throw the baby out with the bath water. Something has clearly gone wrong in the A Level marking system, but we must wait for the publication of the independent inquiry to find out how widespread the problems are and their origins.

"Schools, students and parents do not need knee-jerk reactions, and the education secretary must resist pressures for quick-fix measures to scrap the whole A level system in favour of something else. Appropriate action must be taken to rectify this year's problems and make sure they don't happen again, and those responsible must be held to account.

"We therefore welcome the secretary of state's comments that she favours a considered debate and does not intend to rush through even more changes to the examination system."

Forum Response: Universities UK

Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK, told ePolitix.com: "The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a well-regarded qualification already accepted by UK universities for admissions. It has several advantages, including a broad curriculum, which universities generally welcome. It would also be likely to encourage student mobility both within the EU and beyond.

"Universities UK looks forward to seeing the government's response to the consultation on 14 to 19 education and its proposals in more detail.

"We also look forward to engaging with other stakeholders, including schools organisations, as they investigate the potential introduction of the IB, or equivalent, and to discussing the implications of any further curricula or examination changes.

"Curriculum 2000 changes are still very recent and careful consideration of course needs to be given to the impact on students and universities of any more reforms, for example in terms of university admissions and undergraduate curricula."