Only a quarter of parents think Highers should go ahead
A survey of parents has revealed that only a quarter believe the Highers and Advanced Highers should go ahead as normal.
The National Parent Forum of Scotland survey of parents and carers reveals deep concerns about how learning has already been disrupted this year for pupils in the senior phase.
Three quarters believe a decision on the Higher and Advanced Higher exams must be made now or before Christmas.
The Scottish Greens have consistently led calls for all 2021 exams to be cancelled and replaced with a robust system of continuous assessment, which can take into account how much learning a young person has missed due to COVID-related disruption. In response to Green education spokesperson Ross Greer MSP, the Education Secretary confirmed earlier this month that he would make a decision by mid-February.
Commenting, Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer said:
“The ship has long since sailed on any chance of a fair and normal exam timetable in 2021. It sailed the moment schools started the new term with the pandemic still ongoing.
"I am constantly contacted by young people who have had to repeatedly self-isolate, falling weeks behind their peers and now extremely anxious that they will still be expected to take the same exam on the same terms as those fortunate enough to avoid self-isolating. It’s no surprise that parents are equally concerned.
“Cancelling exams and moving to a system based on assessment of the work a young person has been able to complete throughout the year is the only viable option, so the Scottish Government’s continued refusal to take this decision is frankly unjustifiable.
"John Swinney must reassure parents, pupils and teachers by cancelling the Highers and Advanced Highers now, giving them some certainty before schools break up for Christmas.”