The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has announced two consultations on how the 2021 exams will be run.
With the possibility that coronavirus will disrupt or even force the cancellation of exams once again, the SQA said this afternoon that “it is important that the education system has plans in place”.
All confirmed changes to course assessments and the 2021 exam timetable will be published on the SQA website in the week beginning 31 August.
Shortly after their publication this afternoon, some of the proposed changes were already proving controversial. One teacher described proposed changes for the sciences as “appalling”.
Also today: ‘Is this the last August results day you’ll ever see?’
Background: How the SQA defended the results fiasco in Scotland
SQA results: ‘We need a system we’re all confident in’
SQA results U-turn: ‘I am dreading the next few weeks’
In a joint statement, the SQA and the Scottish government said: “While significant progress has been made in reducing incidence rates of the coronavirus, it has not gone away, and there remains a potential risk of disruption to the amount of teaching and learning that can be delivered this year, and the assessment of National Qualifications.
“While the Strategic Framework for Re-Opening School, Early Learning and Childcare Provision makes clear that planning for the 2021 examination diet is underway and will continue, it is important that the education system has plans in place to ensure that we can cope with any disruptions in the coming months. There needs to be an appropriate balance between learning, teaching, and assessment in National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses.
“As [education secretary and deputy first minister John Swinney] said in his statement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, the Covid-19 Education Recovery Group has discussed a number of options in relation to this, including what modifications SQA can make to course assessments for some subjects, to free up additional learning and teaching time, should it be needed.”
Mr Swinney said: “Coronavirus has had, and will likely continue to have, an impact on learning, teaching and assessment over the coming year.”
He added that the consultations by the SQA would explore “possible course modifications that could help to support the delivery of learning, whilst maintaining the validity, credibility and standard of qualifications”.
A “technical consultation” on proposed changes and a survey are now open.
The joint statement adds: “In the spirit of openness and transparency, SQA welcomes feedback from a range of audiences, including young people.”
The planned 2021 exam timetable will start on Monday 26 April 2021 and finish on Thursday 3 June 2021, but “a number of contingency models” have been drawn up.
English teachers in Scotland. Check this out. Get involved have a say. https://t.co/Rchpgk22gQ pic.twitter.com/i2VoyRqJWS
- Kenny Pieper (@kennypieper) August 14, 2020
Meanwhile, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has today faced questions about the independence of an academic appointed to carry out a review into the SQA results controversy.
The Scottish Conservatives said the first minister should consider removing Professor Mark Priestley over tweets he had sent in the run-up to the December 2019 general election, advising that people vote for candidates who could defeat the Conservatives, which in most Scottish seats was likely to be the SNP.
Asked during her daily coronavirus briefing about press reports regarding Professor Priestley - whose initial report is due in five weeks - Ms Sturgeon said: “Mark Priestley is a respected academic and I don’t think anybody could credibly or reasonably doubt his credentials for this job, his experience, skills and aptitude.
“So yes, I do think he’s the right person.”
Scottish Conservative education spokesman Jamie Greene said: “The much-heralded SNP plans for a so-called independent review into the SQA exams fiasco have unravelled already.
“Less than 24 hours after the Greens saved Mr Swinney from the sack, after his second humiliating U-turn in just a few months, it looks like another scandal has engulfed the education secretary.
“Scottish parents and pupils demand a truly neutral and fully independent review into the exams fiasco. They will not put up with a whitewash.”
