The company behind BTEC diplomas told colleges across Northern Ireland today that all of their grades will need to be revised.
This means that students due to get their BTEC Level 1 & 2 results alongside GCSE pupils tomorrow, will not.
Some level three BTEC students have been hit with delays on their results, but those who have received them now have to have their grades revised.
It is understood the final-hour move has heaped additional pressure on already overworked college and school staff, who had been working around the clock to make sure results were delivered.
The August 19 statement from Pearson senior VP Cindy Rampersaud read: “Following Ofqual’s announcement that A-Level and GCSE students are to receive Centre Assessment Grades, we have reviewed the impact on BTEC students and taken on board feedback from teachers, schools and colleges.
“Following our review... we have decided to apply Ofqual’s principles for students receiving BTECs this summer.
“This means we will now be regrading all the following BTECs - BTEC Level 3 Nationals (2010 QCF and 2016 RQF), BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Awards, BTEC Level 2 Technicals and BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts.”
She went on to say they are “are concerned about fairness” since GCSE, AS and A-level students will now get their teacher assessed grades.
And added that they will “work urgently” with colleges “to reissue these grades” and will provide an update as soon as they can.
“We want to assure students that no grades will go down as part of this review,” Ms Rampersaud continued.
“We appreciate this will cause additional uncertainty for students and we are sorry about this.
"Our priority is to ensure fair outcomes for BTEC students in relation to A-Levels and GCSEs and that no BTEC students is disadvantaged.
“Therefore, we ask schools and colleges not to issue any BTEC L1 and L2 results tomorrow as these will be review and where appropriate regraded."
