Exam joy as pupils going to uni hit a record high
A RECORD number of pupils secured university places with their exam results yesterday.
But Brexit was blamed for a dramatic fall in the number of EU students coming to Scotland.
Bursting through the 29,000 barrier for the first time, 1,130 more pupils made the grade for university courses than last year.
There was also a sharp increase of 5 per cent in students from the most disadvantaged areas gaining entry to the country’s flagship institutions.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) figures show a record 2,140 youngsters from other parts of the world have been accepted by Scotland’s leading universities, a rise of 300 on 2016.
However, concern was raised over the plummeting numbers applying from the European Union – with 3,310 students accounting for the smallest intake in five years and 14 per cent lower than the summer of the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said: ‘The uncertainty caused by the Tories’ shambolic handling of Brexit is putting EU students off.
‘Theresa May’s government need to fix this mess – but the Scottish Government could help by committing to maintain funded places post-Brexit, securing university funding and opening up more places for Scottish students.’
NUS Scotland president Liam McCabe said: ‘The UK Government must work more closely with the Scottish Government and our universities and colleges to protect all students from the impact of Brexit.’
The Scottish Government also faced criticism yesterday following the Scottish Qualification Authority’s (SQA) release of exam results for 135,000 pupils.
Opposition leaders said the SNP’s claim to prioritise education was found wanting after a ‘disappointing’ fall in attainment levels for both Higher and National 5 exams.
According to the figures, A-C attainment rates for Highers saw a small drop from 77 per cent to 76.8 per cent.
SQA figures show there were 191,951 entries for Higher exams this year, with 147,419 attaining a pass grade of A-C, while pupils achieved 218,201 passes at National 5, with a success rate of 77.4 per cent, down 2.1 per cent on last year.
While more pupils sat Higher English, the pass rate fell by 1.4 per cent. It was the opposite in Higher Mathematics, with entry levels falling, but A-C attainment rates increasing from 74 per cent last year to 74.5 per cent this year.
The number of passes in vocational National Certificates and National Progression Awards was also up, with more than 1,500 more passes than last year.
Scottish Tory education spokesman Liz Smith said: ‘These are disappointing statistics.
‘There has been no improvement in overall attainment across the board and these statistics confirm there are still major issues about the mix between National 4 and National 5 qualifications.
‘That’s down to decisions this government has taken.’
Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney described the results as ‘stable’, adding: ‘We will always see slight variations in pass rates and the results show we have a robust, credible assessment system.’
‘Disappointing statistics’
TOO often, the Brexit debate has degenerated into a shouting match.
Yet outside the political bubble, as a poll for the BBC’s Westminster Hour confirms, there’s growing common ground between Leavers and Remainers, with both keen for the Government to get on with it.
The survey found 60 per cent agree: ‘Right now, I no longer care how or when we leave the European Union, I just want it all over and done with.’
Theresa May is bending over backwards to secure a free trade deal and the chief obstacle is the pig-headed stubbornness of a Brussels bureaucracy determined to punish Britain for leaving.
Shouldn’t politicians take a step back from their shouting match – and unite to press Brussels for a fair deal?
Nicola Sturgeon could take the lead. As Mrs May said in Edinburgh yesterday: ‘The Scottish people gave a clear decision that they wanted Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom and I believe what we should be doing now is working to get on with the job of delivering on the future of the United Kingdom.’