Teachers hit out at Swinney’s new testing regime in schools
Scheme to reduce workload will actually increase it, survey reveals
NEARLY two-thirds of Scotland’s teachers believe the decision to scrap classroom assessments to reduce their workload will actually heap more pressure on staff and pupils, a survey suggests.
Education Secretary John Swinney ditched the time-consuming “unit assessments” last September following an outcry and threats of industrial action by teaching unions.
But the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) say the reforms enacted to compensate for their removal will be even more onerous.
An SSTA survey that received more than 800 responses, suggests 63 per cent of secondary teachers believe the removal of the mandatory units will increase their workload and pupil stress.
A further 18 per cent said there would be no change to their workload because of the changes the exam body, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), has made to coursework and exams to compensate for the change.
Unit assessments were set three times a year and marked by teachers and were designed to lessen the importance of external exams which are marked by the SQA.
But teaching unions argued they were unnecessary because pupils are still required to pass the coursework and final exam. They also said the resulting workload left staff swamped with paperwork and pupils spending too much time being assessed.
Under the reforms, 28 out of 42 National 5 subjects would have a longer exam in 2017-18 because of the removal of unit assessments, while nine practical subjects would have an exam where previously none existed. The five other subjects had new or increased coursework to contend with.
The SQA insists the changes had to be made “to protect the integrity, breadth and standards of National Courses”.
But the SSTA has branded the changes unnecessary, saying that workload associated with unit assessments has simply been moved, not removed and is calling for a governmental review, and clear guidance on the use of unit assessments.
Many teachers taking part in the survey commented that unit assessments were still in use so that pupils who failed the final exam had a “safety net”, with others expecting “another two- to three-year period of chaotic change”.
Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said: “For weeks John Swinney has claimed he listened to teachers and cut their workload. Now a significant majority of teachers are saying he has, in fact, done the opposite, and is actually increasing the workload on teachers who are already overworked and under pressure.
“They also believe the changes will increase the stress on pupils.
“Teachers and young people trying their best should not suffer because of botched SNP reforms to our schools.”
A Government spokesman said: “The changes to the qualifications were announced following discussion with the Assessment and National Qualifications Group and with the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board.
“We are working with partners, including SQA and the teacher unions, to ensure workload is reduced as a result of these changes.
“We will continue to engage with teachers to ensure the changes are having the anticipated effect.”