The Scotsman

Aberdeen councillor­s hint they will scrap controvers­ial primary one tests

- By TOM PETERKIN

0 Willie Rennie to support local authoritie­s that scrap the tests Council leaders in Aberdeen have signalled their intention to scrap controvers­ial tests for P1 younsters.

The move was made the day after a majority of MSPS voted to halt the tests in a high-profile defeat for Education Secretary John Swinney.

Despite the vote, Mr Swinney has urged schools to continue with the controvers­ial tests for four and five year-olds while he reflects on the vote.

Opposition leaders at Holyrood have demanded Mr Swinney respect the wishes of Parliament – even though the 63 to 61 vote was not binding on the Scottish Government.

Local politician­s in Aberdeen have echoed that call with Jenny Laing, Labour coleader of the authority, saying the SNP should “respect the will of the Scottish Parliament”.

It comes after teaching unions and others raised concerns about testing pupils in their first year of primary school, with some teachers claiming the assessment­s had left youngsters in tears. Ms Laing and Conservati­ve coleader Douglas Lumsden have written to the council’s chief executive Angela Scott to find out if the authority can halt the tests using delegated powers. Mr Lumsden said: “For months now we’ve heard from teachers, staff and parents about opposition to these tests. Following the vote on Wednesday, we are now asking for the options that are available to us as an education authority. The SNP’S poor record on education and failure to listen to experts – as well as parents – is simply unacceptab­le.”

Ms Laing said: “Trade Unions, parents, teachers and now the Scottish Parliament have made their opposition to these tests clear. As a local authority, we have a responsibi­lity to serve the best interests of our children. Once the options available to us are clear, we will consider our next steps.”

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: “If the Scottish Government won’t respect the will of the Scottish Parliament then it is up to councils to respect that will. Any council that agrees to scrap the primary one tests will have our support.”

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