MSP hits out at education system
Rutherglen MSP James Kelly has hit out at the education system, saying the Scottish Government have lost the faith and confidence of Scotland’s teachers.
Reports from the EIS conference last week saw delegates back industrial action over pay and a boycott of the new exam system.
Union representatives from South Lanarkshire highlighted issues with the new National Qualifications and internal assessment.
The Labour MSP said parents, pupils and staff faced industrial action because SNP Ministers “refused to listen to teachers’ concerns”.
He added: : “Local teachers are suffering from an SNP-run education system which is failing our pupils.
“News from the EIS conference simply underlines that the Scottish Government have completely lost the faith and confidence of Scotland’s teachers.
“School students in Rutherglen and Cambuslang deserve much better. The Higher Maths and Biology exams fiasco is just one example of the education secretary’s appalling track record.
“Pupils have finished their exams which they tried their hardest for – it’s time the SNP tried their hardest at running the education system.
“From over- worked teachers, farcical exams and a lack of resources, how many more warning signs does the Government need before they step in and sort this mess out?”
A Scottish Goverment spokesperson said: “As the Cabinet Secretary has made clear, we all have a role in reassuring young people and their parents of the fairness of the exam system.
“SQA takes responsibility for ensuring that candidates get fair treatment each year and that standards are maintained very seriously and has assured us that it has procedures to make sure no candidate is disadvantaged if an exam paper is proven to be more demanding than intended.
“External assurance is already provided through SQA’s Qu a l i f i c ations Committee which is made up of educational experts from within and outwith Scotland.
“We are working with teachers’ representatives, local authorities and other partners to address concerns around workload.
“The Working Group on Tackling Bureaucracy identified specific areas where changes need to be made and how we can make sure teachers have the freedom they need to carry on delivering our world-class curriculum.
“Industrial action would not be in the interests of anyone, least of all pupils and parents. We want to see a fair, affordable deal and are working with councils and the unions to achieve that.”