Qualification has credibility issue

The credibility of a qualification which can be achieved by fourth year pupils, but has no external exam, is “hugely challenging” according to the chief executive of the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

Dr Janet Brown told MSPS yesterday there was a prob - lem with the perception of the National 4 qualification which is gained through continuous assessment. It replaced a Standard Grade General level qualification during the 201314 school year but the final exam was dropped.

The value of the National 4 was raised by Scottish Labour’s Iain Gray, who said Holyro o d’s education committee had received submissions saying it was “consid - ered worthless”.

Dr Brown said it was still a “very valuable qualification” but “there’s a huge challenge with regard to credibility of National 4 - we really need to address that.”