BACK TO SCHOOL CONFUSION

Plan for exams is still up in the air as pupils return to the classroom

SCOTLAND’S schoolchildren began to return to the classroom yesterday under strict corona rules – and in the dark about exams.

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville is under pressure to reintroduce exams next May.

But she refused to let pupils know yesterday whether they would definitely be sitting exams at the end of their academic year.

Schoolchildren have faced two years of exams chaos – with traditional tests scrapped due to lockdown.

There have also been scandals over children in poorer areas being downgraded according to the historic exam performance of their school.

Somerville would not be drawn on her plans yesterday, saying: “I will be making that announcement soon as I appreciate that children and young people and staff will want to make early planning for that.

“We want to reassure the young people going into assessments this year that they will know what they are facing very, very soon.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Plans for national qualifications 2022 will be announced soon.”

The Scottish Tories insisted last night that any plan to reintroduce exams in 2022 “must not be a temporary reprieve”.

Education spokesman Oliver Mundell said: “Those involved in Scottish education will be breathing a sigh of relief that exams look set to return next year. However, this must not be a temporary reprieve from the SNP.

“Traditional exams are a cornerstone of Scotland’s educational system. They are the fairest and best way of judging what pupils know and what they can do.

“The SNP must commit to retaining them for the long-term.”

With schools returning, secondary pupils will have to remain socially distant from each other and teachers and wear face masks inside.

Somerville promised face coverings in the class would be removed “as soon as possible”, adding: “We think they might be in place for up to six weeks, that’s to ensure all staff within our schools have the opportunity to be fully doubly vaccinated.”

Young people will know what they are facing soon SHIRLEY-ANNE SOMERVILLE ON EXAMS