Pupils missing out on exams need assurances from SNP

15 Apr 2020

The prospects of school pupils unable to take exams because of the coronavirus must not be harmed, the education secretary has been told in a letter.

The Scottish Conservatives have set out a list of priority areas which have to be addressed by John Swinney, having spoken to concerned parents across the country.

Shadow education secretary Jamie Greene said people wanted clarity over consistency of marking, particularly as results will be down to teacher discretion rather than overall SQA oversight.

He also said parents were concerned that grades estimated by schools could be set aside in favour of national average measures.

And he urged Mr Swinney to offer reassurances that Scottish students who could not take exams would not be disadvantaged against those contemporaries from other countries who did.

Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Jamie Greene said:

“Although we agree that cancelling examinations to protect pupils from the coronavirus was the correct approach, John Swinney cannot ignore concerns from teachers and parents about shortfalls around fairness and consistency in the SNP government’s contingency plans.

“Any system must ensure that pupils, who have spent the year working hard and preparing for these exams, do not have their future prospects damaged because of the pandemic.

“The responsibility now lies with the SNP government to respond to these concerns and, where necessary, intervene to ensure that all pupils are given equal opportunities to succeed.”