Tories want fresh start to Curriculum
THE Tories have called for a “reset” of the education system’s Curriculum for Excellence.
The party have set out five recommendations for improvement of the system after a consultation with teachers, education experts and parents.
They want to see greater clarity, accountability and measurement in the system, a reduction in “excessive” guidance and paperwork for teachers and action taken to address teacher shortages.
Education spokeswoman Liz Smith called for reform of education agencies and for headteachers to be given greater autonomy to make decisions.
Smith said: “There is no time to lose to get Curriculum for Excellence back on track and ensure that Scotland is, once again, leading the field in education.”
Recent research for the SNP found some teachers thought the introduction of the new curriculum “had led to increased disengagement of some S4 pupils” due to the lack of an exam for national four qualifications. Smith added: “Curriculum for Excellence needs to be reset. Under the SNP, its implementation has been muddled at best and chaotic at worst.
“There is no point having a new curriculum if pupils are not getting the basics in literacy and numeracy, and teachers are left confused by what they’re supposed to be doing.
“The SNP must get a grip.”