Secondary teachers lack confidence over new exams, survey reveals

SCOTTISH secondary teachers lack confidence in the delivery of new exams, according to a survey.

A poll of members of the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) showed 40 per cent of teachers “lack confidence” in their ability to deliver course materials for the new Higher, with three quarters lacking confidence over Advanced Higher.

Some 60 per

cent

of

those surveyed said they lacked confidence in their ability to assess pupils for the new Higher, while 85 per cent were concerned over assessment for Advanced Higher.

More than half of teachers were not satisfied with schools quango Education Scotland and 63 per cent said they were dissatisfied with exams body the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

Some 60 per cent were not satisfied with their council, while one third criticised their own school.

One SSTA member said: “At no point in the working week do I feel absolutely confident that changes have not been made.

“I dread glancing at my email during the day to find that some change or other has been made.”

Another said: “There is a lack of time to develop new material or, indeed, to get my head around the differences between the old Higher and the new Higher courses.

“Moreover, there is a lack of resources and we are constantly reminded of our budgetary constraints and the need, therefore, to cut down on photocopying and printing.”

A third responded: “We are creating these courses based on very vague information from the SQA and no support from anyone else. Work that is supposed to help always comes a year too late and there is no consistency in anything.

Seamus Searson, SSTA general secretary, said: “The situation that teachers face in schools in trying to do the best for their young people is extremely worrying.

“Teachers are lacking confidence in a major part of their work and there appears to be a lack of understanding or realisation of those bodies that are there to help deliver the new qualifications.

“Teachers are again trying to make the system work despite the lack of support whilst bureaucracy is continuing to increase. Teachers cannot be expected to continue to work under these conditions.”

Earlier this month, academics warned Curriculum for Excellence had lowered attainment and widened social inequality.