Swinney gives impassioned defence of P1 testing regime
John Swinney has branded the recent Holyrood vote to scrap Primary One tests in schools a “disgrace” and insisted that political opponents don’t have the best interests of children at heart.
The Education Secretary will make a statement to MSPS at the Scottish Parliament when it returns after its October recess in a fortnight after the vote saw opposition parties unite to defeat the SNP and call for the tests to be abolished.
He was in defiant mood on the controversial tests as he addressed a fringe meeting organised by teaching union the EIS at the SNP’S autumn conference in Glasgow yesterday, insisting that the tests are needed to spot potential problems with youngsters’ development
“We assess children and young people constantly in their lives to make sure their needs are being met,” Mr Swinney said.
This includes a “vocabulary check” by health visitors on children at 27 months to check their communication development.
“I apply the same rationale
0 John Swinney says P1 test are needed to spot potential problems
to Primary One assessments because I don’t want it to be on my watch that the need and interests of young people are not being adequately identified,” Mr Swinney said.
“I want to make absolutely certain that every child in our education system is getting what they need in helping them progress. That’s
why I believe in Primary One standardised assessments. And I think the debate parliament had on this a few weeks ago was a disgrace. It wasn’t about the education of children it was about politics.”
The SNP government is not bound by the Holyrood vote to scrap the tests, but would face accusations of ignoring the “will of parliament” if it disregards the vote. This could prove awkward when Nationalists call for the “will of parliament” to be respected when calling for another independence referendum which Holyrood has voted for.
Labour education spokesman Iain Gray “John Swinney continues to dig himself deeper into the hole he is in on Primary One standardised tests.
“The reality is teachers believe these tests to be a waste of time and parents simply don’t trust them.
“That is why the Scottish Parliament has voted to scrap these tests for 4 and 5 year olds. Parliament listened to teachers and parents, and now John Swinney should listen to parliament. To fail to do so is wilful, disgraceful arrogance.”