‘Matthew Effect’ sadly still alive in Scotland

Sir, – The Scottish Qualification Authority’s downgrading of pupil results is a national disgrace.

At a stroke, this nonelected and apparently unaccountable body has delivered a body blow to the hopes and aspirations of thousands of senior pupils across Scotland.

In the late 1970s I had been teaching for eight years and I read an article in an educational journal that haunted me for the rest of my teaching career. The article was called The Matthew Effect in the Classroom.

The writer posed an educational theory based on Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 25 verse 29.

“For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance.

“Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them” (New International Version).

The writer argued that there were subtle and not so subtle forces at work in

gathering at pubs and cafes, several families will have acquired the virus.

As 50% of infections are without symptoms there will be apparently healthy 14 to 18-year-olds spreading Covid-19 with the happy chatter of reuniting after lockdown.

They have to sit at 18 inches or closer, but they could at least protect others by wearing a face covering.

If it is not made mandatory, it is unlikely to happen.

Peer pressure will keep the masks in the pockets. education that rewarded the already successful and disadvantaged the already disadvantaged.

In the 42 years since I read this enlightened article there have been many changes to the curriculum, the exam system and attempts to reduce the attainment gap.

At a stroke however, the SQA have demonstrated that the Matthew Effect is still alive and well in our classrooms.

If the school insists – and is backed by parents – then most of the pupils will happily cover their mouth and nose on the bus, reducing the chance of taking the infection home.

Anne Tee.

33 Malcolm Crescent, Monifieth.

The aspirations and ambitions of countless thousands have been degraded by a bureaucratic sleight of hand.

Sadly, even the pupils scoring straight A grades will be left to wonder if this was a reflection of their true ability or that they were just blessed to be on the side of the already abundant.

Ron J Scrimgeour. 39 Gowan Rigg, Forfar,

Angus.

that the basis for reducing grades had been “arbitrary”.

So, all of a sudden, the first minister is an expert of equal standing on education.

I know who I believe. And so will thousands of schoolchildren in mostly deprived areas, who did well in their course work and prelims, but were strangely marked down.

It is also very strange why this year the appeals process is free which makes me think the SNP knew the results were skewed against our less