FMQs: Nicola Sturgeon urged to cancel Higher exams
COVID disruptions to senior pupils learning means the Scottish Government must cancel the Higher and Advanced higher exams and replace them with a robust system of continuous assessment, the Scottish Greens have said.
The Greens first proposed this solution in May when, when it became clear that this academic year would be seriously disrupted. However, the Education Secretary has insisted the decision can be made as late as February.
At First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie raised the case of a pupil who has already had to self-isolate three times yet faces prelims in a few months’ time.
Patrick Harvie said: “This week the education secretary told parliament that one in four S4-6 pupils have already experienced a COVID-related absence, so it makes no sense to delay the decision on the exam diet any further.
“Young people have experienced enough stress and anxiety this year to last a lifetime. And, as is so often the case, those from the most deprived communities are being disproportionately affected. It’s long past time the First Minister gave teachers and young people the clarity they need and accepted that Higher and Advanced Higher exams cannot go ahead in the coming year. They deserve to know before they break for the holidays.”
Mr Harvie also raised the decision announced this morning that the school Christmas break will not be extended, despite the government indicating a few days ago that it might.
“Concerns are still being raised about the impact the five-day relaxation for Christmas will have on the spread of the virus, so it’s important we know what has led to this late decision to bring schools back as normal in January.”