Advice U-turn as pupils not allowed to return
Scots teenagers will not be allowed to return to school this week to complete coursework as part of the “certification” process for their Higher and National grades this year.
Any outstanding work must now be done “remotely”, Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday, amid new advice over the “accelerated” spread of the virus.
Confusion broke out among parents at the weekend when some schools called for pupils in fourth to sixth years to return this week to complete coursework needed for the “certification” process, which will determine the grades they are to receive this year following the cancellation of the exams.
Education Secretary John Swinney had initially indicated that older pupils could go back to school for a short period to finish their coursework – but that has now been ruled out.
“With immediate effect no young person with course work to complete should attend school to do so,” the First Minister said.
“Where coursework can be completed remotely then these arrangements will be put in place by schools.
“The SQA’S chief examiner fully agrees with this public health-driven decision and will set out as soon as possible how the SQA will take account of that in the certification of young people’s qualification and achievements.”
Ms Sturgeon said the decisions taken by Government would be “subject to change” based on scientific guidance.
She added: “On Friday, of course, we had advice around the acceleration of the spread which led us to the decision about closing pubs and restaurants and cafes.
“That has now informed the change in this advice.”
Some school places will remain available to children of key workers, such as NHS staff, and vulnerable youngsters.
Categories have been introduced so that workers like ICU nurses and A&E doctors will get places first to ensure they remain at work.
“If there are places left after we have done that, others in order of priority will be considered. But there are only so many places to go around,” Ms Sturgeon said.
“That is not going to change, otherwise we risk undermining and compromising the health benefits of schools being closed.”