LONDON—The head of one of Britain's largest exam boards has criticised preparations for new diploma qualifications that many 14 to 19-year-olds start studying later this year.
Edexcel Managing Director Jerry Jarvis said flaws need to be fixed before the September start of the qualifications, which could eventually replace GCSE and A-level exams.
He told Thursday's Guardian that teachers will only get three days' training in advance of the new courses and that schools still do not know how new features should be taught.
He said there are also concerns the diplomas will be too demanding for many pupils.
There is a danger that many students will leave school with no qualifications at all because candidates have to pass all parts of the course.
"If the diploma doesn't earn its spurs as a qualification, and that means respect from employers, pupils, parents and higher education, we face a serious problem," said Jarvis.
"There is a huge educational risk to this country."
The government has called diplomas, which aim to give pupils a more rounded education, the most important change to the education system since the introduction of GCSEs in 1986.
There will be 17 diploma disciplines by 2011. The first five being taught from September are: Creative and Media, Construction and the Built Environment, Engineering, Information Technology and Society, Health and Development.
The National Union of Teachers said a survey of teachers in schools introducing the diplomas found that 46 percent have not received sufficient training.
The government dismissed the criticism.
"There are details to address with any new programme but to suggest diplomas are in 'disarray' or 'worthless' is complete and utter nonsense," said a spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Edexcel said it is determined to make sure the diplomas succeed. "It is natural at this stage for there to be some implementation issues to address," it said in a statement.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said the diploma is going from strength to strength.
"There are challenges ahead, but the Education and Skills Select Committee, National Audit Office and other independent bodies have confirmed that we are on track to successfully deliver the first five diplomas in 2008," Knight said.
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