Over the past week since the Scottish results were announced, young people have been shocked. Many have seen their hopes and potential careers dashed by dramatically downgraded results, and offers from chosen universities for their courses withdrawn.
The reason for the chaos - a much overworked word but apt here - was the process chosen by the various governments.
It was always going to be a difficult task.
Never before had examinations been cancelled and months of lessons missed. But there was surely time to work out a logical, fair system. That is where scholars, parents and teachers have been let down.
Their efforts were heavily marked down with many being penalised, especially those in deprived areas.The results were eventually overturned by the Scottish government that ruled that they would be decided on the teachers' assessments.
That was a week ago, leaving the other governments time to contemplate and make changes but they were indecisive, promising it would be fair for all.
Now they have thrown the package overboard, creating a tidal wave
of applications and a new problem for universities that will have to work out who to accept. They are fortunate that the loss of many overseas students due to the pandemic has left more spaces available.
As usual, no-one is willing to accept the blame for the fiasco. The government organisation that thought up the scheme in England, Ofqual (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) is saying little although it might suffer the same fate as Public
There have been abject apologies all round from education ministers and the problem has not been solved; the latest worry is that universities, unable to cope with the flood of applications, have said many will have to wait until next year. This is worrying students due to take their exams next year.
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