Swinney: I’m sorry

Finally, SNP in exams U-turn – its credibility left in tatters

JOHN Swinney has apologised to pupils and admitted he was to blame for the system that lowered more than 124,000 grades – but rejected calls to quit.

The embattled Education Secretary will face a vote of no confidence at Holyrood tomorrow over his handling of the results fiasco.

Though refusing to stand down, Mr Swinney conceded it will be up to parliament to decide his future. But he looks set to be rescued by the Greens, who are preparing to vote against the motion.

In a statement to MSPs he announced that 124,564 grades issued last week will be increased as he conceded the moderation system – which took into account a school’s past performance – was unfair.

But he also defended the under-fire Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), saying it acted on his instruction.

Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said the ‘humiliating climbdown’ was ‘very welcome’, adding: ‘The restoration of pupils’ achievements based on the judgment of teachers who know them is a victory for fairness, for common sense and, above all, for those who refused to take this injustice lying down.

‘I commend him for taking responsibility and trying to fix this but ask, will he take full responsibility for it happening in the first place and resign?’

Mr Swinney unveiled the grades U-turn after spending the past week defending the moderation approach taken.

In his statement, he said: ‘The Covid pandemic has inflicted much suffering and hardship on our society. Many of our young people have had to face that pain across different aspects of their lives.

‘I want to make clear I understand that anguish and I can see, for some, the SQA results process made that worse.

‘We set out to ensure the system was fair. We set out to ensure it was credible.

‘But we did not get it right for all young people. Before I go any further, I want to apologise for that. In speaking directly to the young people affected by the downgrading of awards… I want to say this: I am sorry.’

He said he watched pictures of pupils protesting in Glasgow’s George Square last week and listened to messages sent to him directly by children involved.

He said: ‘The message is clear. They don’t just want an apology. They want to see this fixed and that is exactly what I will now do.’

He acknowledged that the system meant some pupils did not receive the grades ‘they were capable of achieving and that their teachers believed they deserved’. A total of 134,000 teacher estimates were adjusted, including 124,564 grades lowered for 76,000 pupils.

All downgraded awards will be withdrawn and reissued by the SQA solely on teacher judgment.

Mr Swinney said: ‘The SQA undertook the task I set them and did so in good faith. I make no criticism of their actions in so doing.’

Pupils will be told their new grades by teachers, with reissued certificates to follow from the SQA.

The quango will also inform university admissions group UCAS of the updated grades. Mr Swinney said he will ensure there are enough places in universities and colleges ‘to ensure no one is crowded out of a place they would otherwise have been awarded’.

It is estimated that around 3,000 extra places will be needed. The

Scottish Government has pledged to provide extra funding.

Universities Scotland convener Gerry McCormac said: ‘Universities will do everything possible to ensure all those who can benefit from higher education have the opportunity to attend university.’

Shona Struthers, chief executive of Colleges Scotland, said: ‘Colleges will continue to do everything possible to support students with aspirations of coming to college.’

An independent review by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development will look at the approach to assessment and qualifications.

Professor Mark Priestley of Stirling University will also carry out at review of ‘events following the cancellation of the examination diet and the alternative certification model’. Mr Swinney said: ‘We will look to learn lessons.’

Tory education spokesman Jamie Greene called the statement ‘the longest resignation speech in history, minus the resignation’. Lib Dem MSP Beatrice Wishart said Mr Swinney ‘can’t be the person to take this new approach forward’.

SQA chief executive Fiona Robertson said: ‘Everyone at the SQA will work hard to ensure we fully implement the steps outlined in [Mr Swinney’s] statement to the Scottish parliament.’

‘Victory for fairness, for common sense’ ‘We will look to learn lessons’