Tests vital to drive up standards in schools

OPPOSITION MSPs are expected to unite tomorrow to demand controversial testing of primary one pupils is scrapped.

Although he stands defiantly by testing, Education Secretary John Swinney will struggle to persuade them to vote in favour of his policy. The Daily Mail rarely finds itself on the side of SNP ministers but, in this instance, we hope Mr Swinney prevails.

If we are serious about driving up standards in Scotland’s schools then first we need to understand precisely where pupils are in terms of achievement. We cannot possibly begin to focus on areas where greater support might be needed without first identifying them.

Opponents of testing paint a rather nightmarish scenario with young children put under intolerable pressure to achieve. The truth is that testing is unobtrusive and should no more stress a child than any other classroom activity.

Mr Swinney caused some consternation at the weekend when he said the result of any vote in favour of scrapping the tests would not be binding. He was right to make this clear in advance of tomorrow’s vote.

The best interests of our children will not be served with education policy that is chopped and changed at the behest of opposition politicians.

Yesterday, two of Scotland’s leading education experts appealed to MSPs not to vote in favour of scrapping the tests.

Both Maureen McKenna, president of the Association of Directors of Education of Scotland, and Lindsey Watt, a much respected former headteacher, have more than earned the right to be heard on this subject. Their support carries more weight than MSPs who talk a good game when it comes to improving educational standards but baulk at taking the tough decisions required in pursuit of the achievement of that objective.