What was wrong with the way Edexcel did the job?
Edexcel’s performance was not the reason for changing the contract. Under European Union free market rules, Government contracts have to be renewed regularly and awarded to the lowest bidder. ETS won the contract on that basis. When did ETS’ marking problems start? Suggestions of trouble first began to emerge in October. Some senior markers, mostly retired teachers, resigned over the way ETS was running the training involved in its marking system. Some said they were given late notice of training venues a hundreds of miles from their homes. Others said they could not contact ETS’ helpline to discuss marking techniques. That may have led ETS to recruit less experienced markers. Then after the exams in May, there were delays in completed papers being sent to markers. What will happen to ETS as a result? The QCA is suing ETS and some observers think the company could end up paying tens of millions of pounds in compensation. There will also be an official inquiry into the fiasco by Lord Su
