Testing times ahead for education

Literacy and numeracy testing for pupils in P1 followed by assessments in P4, P7 and S3 – has been a cornerstone of the Scottish Government’s efforts to raise educational standards in schools.

But today the number may well be up for the controversial policy of testing children at the age of five.

A Labour motion, due to be lodged in the Scottish Parliament, will demand an end to standardised assessments for P1 pupils.

It’s a move which is likely to find favour with critics, including teachers and unions, who have raised concerns about the time and resources being swallowed up by P1 tests and the stress and anxiety they are causing to vulnerable youngsters.

The four opposition parties have also called for national testing at such an early age to be scrapped and if all of their MSPs support the Labour move, it’s hard to see how it can continue. So what then?

A strong education system is at the heart of every successful society. It should be as much of a priority for politicians as it is for individual teachers and schools and no idea should be off the table when it comes to improving the life chances of Scottish youngsters.

The challenge for opponents will be to raise their hands and come up with positive suggestions for how to achieve that. Education is too important to be kicked around like a political football.