The publication of the comprehensive review of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is to be delayed until June next year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it has emerged.

Scotland’s education secretary, John Swinney, said that the Scottish government “remain committed” to the review of CfE - prompted by fears that there are significant weaknesses in the Scottish education system - but that the overriding priorities for education right now were the health and wellbeing of school staff and pupils, as well as “continuity of learning”.

He said he did not want to make “any additional demands on the system at this time”.

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Mr Swinney made the comments in a written answer to the SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald published today, prompting education researcher Barry Black to highlight that the report would now come out after the Scottish Parliament elections scheduled to be held in May next year. 

In February, before the impact of coronavirus in Scotland became clear, the Scottish government said the review would start immediately, concluding in February 2021, with a report published “at a later date”.

Concerns about Curriculum for Excellence

Mr Swinney said: “The Covid-19 pandemic presents unprecedented challenges for our education system. Our overriding priorities are ensuring the health and wellbeing of children, young people and staff, and maintaining a continuity of learning wherever possible whilst schools are closed, as well as planning and preparing for a recovery phase.

“We remain committed to the review of Curriculum for Excellence and are progressing this by providing the OECD [Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development] with a comprehensive written evidence pack which we are co-developing with partners. However, it is critical that we do not make any additional demands on the system at this time. Therefore, following discussions with national partners and the OECD, we have agreed to postpone engagement with policy stakeholders until September and engagement with practitioners and learners until October 2020. This approach would see publication of the final report in June 2021.

“This is the current position but our approach will be kept under review, responding appropriately to changing developments.”