International GCSE

Mr. Gibb
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department recognises the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment.

Mr. Thomas
The bulk of DFID recruitment is for advisory, specialist or senior managerial roles. A prerequisite for these posts is a university education and relevant degree. DFID may recognise the international GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment to junior administrative roles. The literacy and numeracy of new recruits to these posts would be tested using standard short answer tests.