WALES has scrapped its end of year exams in 2021, the country's education minister has announced.

GCSE, AS-level and A-level exams will be replaced by coursework and assessments amid ongoing disruption to schools caused by the coronavirus.

Williams said the ongoing pandemic made it "impossible to guarantee a level playing field for exams to take place" and the decision "removes pressures from learners".

She said: "The well-being of learners and ensuring fairness across the system is central in our decision-making process.

"In line with the recommendations of both Qualifications Wales and the Independent Review, there will be no exams for GCSE or AS level learners next year. A-level students will also not be required to sit exams.

"We remain optimistic that the public heath situation will improve, but the primary reason for my decision is down to fairness; the time learners will spend in schools and colleges will vary hugely and, in this situation, it is impossible to guarantee a level playing field for exams to take place."

Williams said universities across the UK had been consulted and had confirmed "that they are used to accepting many different types of qualifications."

"They expect a transparent and robust approach which provides evidence of a learner's knowledge and ability," she said.

"Our intended approach does just that, as it is designed to maximise the time for teaching and learning.

"Cancelling exams provides time for teaching and learning to continue throughout the summer term, to build the knowledge, skills and confidence in our learners to progress in whatever they decide to do next."

Teacher-managed assessments will include assessments that are externally set and marked, but delivered within a classroom environment under teacher supervision.

Teachers will also have flexibility when it is best to undertake the assessments.

The move will prompt questions about whether Scotland, England and Northern Ireland will follow suit.

In Holyrood, the Scottish Greens have been asking for the exams to be scrapped next year.

Trade unions in Wales have welcomed the announcement.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru said it "wholeheartedly" supported the Welsh Government's decision to scrap GCSE, AS-level and A-level in 2021.

Eithne Hughes, director of (ASCL) Cymru, said: "We wholeheartedly support the decision of the Minister for Education to scrap end-of-year exams and focus on ensuring the maximum fairness for students amidst the disruption of the Covid pandemic.

"This is the right decision for our young people.

"It recognises the fact that they will have been affected to differing extents by the impact of the pandemic and it allows for as much teaching time as possible to catch up with lost learning.

"We are confident that the planned approach is robust and that it will avoid the pitfalls that occurred in the grading of this summer's qualifications.

"Parents can be reassured also by the steps the Welsh Government has taken to ensure this approach will not disadvantage students in Wales in comparison to those in the other UK nations."

The National Education Union (NEU) Cymru welcomed the news that end-of-year exams would not take place in Wales in 2021.

David Evans, Wales secretary of the union, said: "We welcome that minister has made on an announcement on this - it is critical that we don't have a repeat of what happened this summer, which was exceptionally difficult for those who should have been taking exams.

"We must ensure that young people have a consistent assessment process in place which means their abilities are recognised for their next steps.

"But this must not mean extra work for everyone involved - both staff and students alike. The education system is already struggling.

"We only have a term and a half for young people before next summer's grades are awarded. So, we need as much flexibility in the system as possible now, as we know this is not a normal year, and young people will likely have times when they are at home learning."