Swinney says P1 tests should be fun

John Swinney has come under fire over claims that controversial tests for primary one pupils should be “fun and enjoyable”.

His comments follow recent revelations that some children have been left in tears by the exams, which were introduced last year.

The Education Secretary said Scottish Governmentissued guidance makes it clear the tests should not take place in a “stressful or high stakes” environment.

“I have seen in my own experience young people being able to undertake activity in the classroom which is comparable to standardised assessments with exactly the same character and style which is in no way stressful and indeed is a fun and enjoyable part of the educational experience and that is what the guidance is designed to ensure is the case,” he said.

The Liberal Democrats are pressing for a parliamentary vote on the issue unless the assessments are scrapped

Party leader Willie Rennie said: “John Swinney is desperately trying to tell people that national testing of five-year-olds should be ‘fun’ and that teachers find it useful. That is both delusional and an insult to the teachers who took the time to submit hundreds of pages worth of feedback which he shows no sign of having read.

“The solution is to scrap tests for five-year-olds.”