Sturgeon urged to give clarity as to whether pupils will have to sit exams
A DECISION on whether to cancel next year’s school exams could be fast-tracked, Nicola Sturgeon signalled yesterday.
The First Minister has resisted calls for Higher and Advanced Higher exams to be called off due to Covid.
But yesterday she acknowledged there is a ‘strong argument’ for a decision on whether they will go ahead to be made sooner than planned.
Opposition parties have urged the First Minister to cancel next year’s Highers, as has already been decided for National 5s.
Education Secretary John Swinney has said the current position is that the exams will take place, but a final decision will be made by mid-February.
During First Minister’s Questions, Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said on any given day, up to 30,000 pupils and 1,500 teachers are off school due to Covid19. He added: ‘That means we need an effective alternative to those Higher and Advanced Higher exams. But to make that happen, teachers and students need plenty of warning.
‘The longer the Government waits, the less time teachers have to prepare, the greater the problem becomes.’
He asked if the First Minister would ‘think again’ and cancel the assessments.
Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: ‘This year is going to be incredibly unfair for anyone who has exams. Young people have experienced enough stress this year to last a lifetime.
‘Isn’t it time that the First Minister gave teachers and young people the clarity they need and accepted t hat Higher and Advanced Higher exams cannot go ahead in the coming year?’
Miss Sturgeon insisted the Government is considering ‘very, very carefully’ i f the exams should go ahead, and appeared to concede a decision may be made sooner than February.
She said: ‘ We ideally want exams to proceed, but the public health advice must allow that and it must be not just safe to do so, but safe to all learners. That’s why we are monitoring the position closely and continuing to listen to all views.
‘We know there is potential for further disruption, which is why contingency plans are being developed and the Deputy First Minister has made clear that a final decision will be taken no later than mid-February – but it will be taken sooner than that if the evidence suggests that that is the right thing to do.’
She added: ‘It’s important that we take the time to get this right, because that matters to all young people.’
A survey by the National Parent Forum of Scotland published last week found 50.6 per cent of Scottish parents believe Higher and Advanced Higher exams should be cancelled next year.
The poll of 4,196 parents and carers also found that 75 per cent believe the decision should be announced before Christmas.
Meanwhile, ministers confirmed yesterday that school holidays will not be extended.
A controversial proposal to prolong the festive break to three weeks was being considered to act as a ‘break’ in transmission following the relaxation of restrictions over Christmas.
But John Swinney has opted against the move, concluding that there would be less transmission in school than outside.
Scottish Conservative education spokesman Jamie Greene said: ‘After a complete information vacuum from the SNP, this i s at l ast confirmation that pupils will not be missing out on any vital time in the classroom.’
‘Students need warning’