Exam markers safe to air views

Whistleblowers among New Zealand Qualifications Authority examination markers can provide information on last year's marking process without fear of being penalised, says the authority's acting chief executive Karen Sewell.

Ms Sewell told Parliament's education and science select committee yesterday that she would be concerned if there had been any pressure on markers which was not part of the proper marking process.

Complaints National's education spokesman Bill English said he had received from markers could be forwarded to her through Education Minister Steve Maharey, she said. The details of their comments could be handed over anonymously.

"Of course those people would be protected."

Ms Sewell, who is due later this year to hand over to new chief executive Karen Poutasi, said she understood some people might be concerned that their protection would dry up but that the authority would honour her commitment.

She wanted to hear from people so a full range of views could be taken into account in her review of last year's exams and marking process.

National Certificate of Educational Achievement scholarship exams came under attack last year after it was revealed 2004 results varied widely between subjects and fewer scholarships were granted than expected. Two damning reports into the authority's handling of the 2004 scholarship exams resulted in the resignations of then chairman Graeme Fraser and chief executive Karen Van Rooyen.

Mr English, who asked many of the questions put by select committee members, pressed Ms Sewell and acting board chairwoman Catherine Gibson on whether specific changes had been made to marking processes.

The standards this year had not changed but there had been a further step put into marking so that any problems could be picked up while marking was under way, she said.

- NZPA