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<p>The use of companies that sell bespoke essays to students who pass the work off
as their own undermines the reputation of the education system in this country, and
devalues the hard work of those succeeding on their own merit.</p><p> </p><p>The government
has a clear expectation that educational institutions do everything in their power
to prevent students being tempted by these companies. In a university context that
may be through introducing initiatives such as honour codes, and making sure their
students are aware of the severe consequences they face if they are caught cheating.</p><p>
</p><p>In addition, the department will be publishing an Education Technology strategy
in the spring which will include encouraging technology companies to identify how
anti-cheating software can tackle the growth of essay mills and stay one step ahead
of the cheats.</p><p> </p><p>The government is supporting the Quality Assurance Agency
for Higher Education (QAA) to put pressure on technology companies who readily facilitate
the use of essay mills. This supports and furthers the 2017 efforts of the QAA and
National Union of Students and Universities UK who responded to the government’s request
to develop guidance for higher education providers on how to combat the threat of
“contract cheating”.</p><p> </p><p>The Office for Students is the independent regulator
of higher education in England. Through the Higher Education and Research Act 2017,
the government has given the Office for Students the power to take action if higher
education providers are found to be, in any way, complicit in cheating. This includes
imposing fines or ultimately de-registration, the highest possible punishment. The
government remains open to the future need for additional legislation, and will continue
to investigate all options available.</p><p> </p><p>The Office of Qualifications and
Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is the independent regulator of qualifications in
England for secondary school pupils. In reformed GCSEs, AS and A levels Ofqual have
significantly reduced the use of non-exam assessment - primarily permitting it only
where the prescribed subject content cannot be assessed within an examination. This
means that - in most subjects - a pupil could not use an essay writing service to
gain an unfair advantage in an assessment.</p><p> </p><p>In all GCSEs, AS and A levels,
Ofqual rules require exam boards to do all they can to prevent malpractice and maladministration
when developing, delivering and awarding regulated qualifications, to investigate
allegations and suspicions of malpractice when they arise and to impose appropriate
sanctions when malpractice is confirmed.</p><p> </p>
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