Demands for minister to reveal exam appeals system after deadline missed
Shirley-anne Somerville has been warned of a “summer of discontent” and pressed to reveal how the exams appeals process will work this year after the government missed a deadline to produce the information.
Theneweducationsecretary is also facing demands to set a date for the release of a longawaited OECD review into the efficacy of the current Curriculumforexcellenceinscotland’s high schools.
Scottish Labour’s new education spokesman, Michael Marra has written to Ms Somerville, who was appointed to replace John Swinney on Tuesday,seekingtoknowhowpupils can appeal the grades they are awarded through this year’s controversial Alternative Certification Model.
He said: “We are facing a summer of discontent in education. It is not of the new minister’s making but it falls to her to deal with it. That’s why I am calling on the minister to listen to teachers, education experts, unions and Labour and take the vital action needed now to solve another exams fiasco in our education system.
"Our young people need hope after this dreadful year. The minister must deal with the damage and distress that has alreadybeencausedbythisgovernment. She must also start to rebuild opportunity for young Scots’ futures."
In his letter Mr Marra says the “immediate priority” for Ms Somerville should be “the current exams crisis which is impacting tens of thousands
of young people, their teachers and their families right now.”
He writes: “Your predecessor’s insistence that there are no exams being undertaken did a disservice to the process thatyoungpeoplearecurrently undertakingwithalltheireffort.
"It is clear that lessons from last year’s exams fiasco have not be learned, and that this year’s alternative assessment system has the potential to be more damaging
than the one used last year.” Mr Marra says there was an “urgent need” for Ms Somerville and the Scottish Qualifications Authority to publish the appeals process and adds: “It is unforgivable that young people and their teachers have been entered into this process, with no clarity regarding how it will conclude.”
He also calls for “a ‘resit’ guarantee” to allow young people access to a college place to
sit qualifications again and for the government to engage with colleges and universities “to ensure that there is a no detriment policy” in place.
His letter to Ms Somerville comes as the Scottish Greens revealedthesqahadmissedits own deadline to confirm how the appeals process will work.
Ansqaspokesmansaid:“the outcomesoftheappealsconsultation are currently being finalised, following the public consultation.
We aim to announce details of the appeals process imminently.
“Learners should be reassured that a comprehensive appeals process will be in place in good time. The current focus shouldbeonmaximisingteachingandlearningandthegathering of evidence to support the development of provisional grades.”