Growing fears that next year’s Higher exams WILL be axed

ALL Higher exams could be scrapped next year amid fears pupils are missing too many lessons and falling behind.

Some students have lost out on several weeks of classes because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Yesterday, Education Secretary John Swinney highlighted reports of pupils having to self-isolate a number of times, saying he will consider this when deciding whether Higher and Advanced Higher exams go ahead as planned.

He stressed that his preference was for young people to sit the tests, but he wanted to be certain it would be ‘fair’ for everyone.

National 5 exams have already been axed following a review by Professor Mark Priestley, of Stirling University, who recommended Highers and Advanced Highers go ahead. They are due to begin on May 13.

Last night, Jo Bisset, of parents’ group UsForThem Scotland, said: ‘ Sending healthy children home to isolate is damaging and unnecessary.

‘It doesn’t have to be complicated. If a child is ill, they go home and isolate; if they are not, they stay in school and keep learning.

‘It’s absolutely essential that Higher and Advanced Higher exams go ahead this year.

‘By that time we will have been more than a year into the pandemic – plenty of time for the authorities to find a way to make these exams happen.’

A decision on whether Higher exams will go ahead could be taken as l ate as February, meaning pupils would have only three months’ notice.

Yesterday, at the Scottish Government’s daily coronavirus briefing, Mr Swinney said: ‘I have already asked for information to be gathered about what has been the disruption to education for young people in different localities.

‘I have heard examples where some Higher candidates have perhaps had to go through at least one or possibly two periods of self-isolation already.

‘Now that is becoming disruptive to the education of young people. I’ll be looking at factors like that to determine whether there’s a need for us to take a different decision about Highers and Advanced Highers.

‘I would prefer not to leave it as late as February to take that decision, to give the education system as much opportunity to adapt to a different position if that was necessary.

‘We are keeping that issue under review. The strength of opinion very strongly favours having an exam diet for Higher and Advanced Higher in the spring. But I have to be certain that is going to be fair to every young person who is going to be sitting those exams.’

National 5 qualifications will be i ssued through teacher estimates and a national moderation system, which is based on between two and four pieces of coursework.

Professor Priestley’s review followed the chaos caused by this year’s exam cancellations.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority issued results based on grades submitted by teachers and a school’s previous performance. Thousands of marks were downgraded, sparking outrage. A U-turn meant grades were then based solely on teacher estimates.

Teaching unions have already warned of potential industrial action if staff are forced to work when it is not safe to do so.

EIS teaching union general secretary Larry Flanagan said: ‘Schools remaining fully operational can’t come at the expense of teacher and pupil wellbeing.

‘Blended and remote learning models are increasingly being adopted in other countries. It is time for the Government to rethink its stance, in light of the rising infection levels.’

‘Must be certain it is fair for all’