Following Mike Tomlinson's decision to delay the announcement of examination re-grading, ePolitix asked its Forum members to respond.

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Gwen Evans, deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, told ePolitix.com: "What must happen now is that Mike Tomlinson must take as long as he needs to produce a report that will deal with the particular problems reported in 2002. To precipitate change will risk even greater chaos for 2004 and 2005. Those who are shouting for instant change are doing young people a real disservice."

"For the future, ATL does want to see a well-considered move to a Baccalaureate system but we do not envisage that starting until 2011 at the very earliest. The experience of 2002 proves the folly of over hasty change.

"Every year the overwhelming majority of results can be expected to be accurate. Some mistakes are inevitable. They need to be swiftly and efficiently corrected. That is what must happen now".

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

A spokeswoman of the National Union of Teachers told ePolitix.com:" This announcement merely reflects the complexity of the problem that Mike Tomlinson has to deal with."

Forum Brief: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, general secretary for PAT, told ePolitix.com: "Although we understand the distress and frustration felt by the students as a result of further delay, it is absolutely imperative that any investigation is done in a measured way so that we get the accurate answers that are needed. To rush and get information which is still suspect would not do anyone any good.

"There does appear to be a need to consider closely the re-grading from A-U of some of the coursework."