Teachers fear exam stress may put pupils off
Scotland’s secondary school teachers have expressed concern that the cancellation of exams for the second year running might put off some youngsters from going on into higher education.
Exams in Scotland were cancelled this year again due to the pandemic, with teachers awarding grades based on coursework and class tests.
The Alternative Certification Model (ACM) saw pupils sit multiple class tests and they were also graded on work throughout the year.
But many pupils, who are due to receive results on Tuesday, said the extra workload put extreme pressure on them and pushed them to breaking point.
Seamus Searson, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, said: “The results day will be a testament to the resilience and determination of pupils and teachers to overcome the difficulties posed by the ACM.
“I hope this ‘out of the ordinary’
experience of education has not turned pupils away from continuing education.”
Higher and further education minister Jamie Hepburn said: “The Alternative Certification Model, developed in collaboration with the National Qualifications 2021 Group, was designed to deliver fair, credible and consistent results.
“This year’s provisional grades are based on teacher judgment of learners’ demonstrated attainment. Teachers were supported to deliver the model in flexible ways whilst ensuring the grades are fair and robust.
“Learners who remain unhappy with their results can register an appeal.”