Exam replacements must be set out, says children’s commissioner

John Swinney and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) have been urged to set out exactly what will replace the cancelled Higher and Advanced Higher exam diet in Scotland by the country’s children’s commissioner.

Bruce Adamson called on both institutions to ensure the uncertainty around the exams will not lead to children being disadvantaged.

He said any appeals system created by the SQA must also be human rights compliant and available to all children, free of charge.

The Scottish Government and the SQA were criticised in the review of the exam results fiasco undertaken by Professor Mark Priestley on the issue of appeals, with leading children’s rights academic Dr Tracy Kirk writing in the Scotland on Sunday this week the same mistakes must not happen again.

Mr Adams on said the SQA must “urgently communicate” their plans for the alternative certification model for 2021 Highers and Advanced Highers and “anticipate” disadvantage pupils were likely to experience.

The children and young person’s commissioner said: “Young people have had varied reactions to the news that exams would again be cancelled. For some, this is a relief, but for others, particularly those who were negatively affected by the cancellation of the previous exam diet, it has increased stress.

“The Scottish Government has a duty to ensure that childr en and young people can realise their human right to education. The SQA in its most recent Child Rights Impact Assessment recognises that the right to education requires the provision of appropriate assessment arrangements.

“The SQ A must urgently communicate what their alternative assessment arrangements will be for pupils due to sit their Highers and Advanced Highers in 2021. Uncertainty has created a huge amount of anxiety and stress this year for young people.”

He said that an appeals process must be created that is free to access and directly available, without the involvement of schools. In 2020, schools were required to sign off on any appeal, even if it was due to alleged discrimination of the pupil.