Scotland's schools face another 'summer of discontent' after exams quango fails to hit its own deadline

Scotland's new Education Secretary has been warned that she must act urgently to avoid another 'summer of discontent' in schools and turmoil over teenagers' qualification results.

Scottish Labour warned that pupils are facing yet another results day “fiasco” with the Scottish Qualifications Agency (SQA) still yet to publish details of the appeals process despite this being promised by early May.

Michael Marra, the party’s education spokesman, has written to Shirley-Anne Somerville, who replaced John Swinney in Nicola Sturgeon’s post-election reshuffle, to tell her it is “unforgivable” that pupils still have no clarity over how the system will work.

There was a major crisis last summer after pupils were initially graded using an algorithm that disadvantaged those from poorer areas, only for this to be scrapped following a major outcry. Formal exams this year and last year were scrapped due to coronavirus.

Pupils were told that grades this year would be awarded on the basis of teacher judgement, but in many areas they have been forced to sit multiple assessment papers which it is claimed are exams in all but name.

“We are facing a summer of discontent in education,” Mr Marra said. “It is not of the new minister's making but it falls to her to deal with it.

"That's why I am calling on the minister to listen to teachers, education experts, unions and Labour and take the vital action needed now to solve another exams fiasco in our education system.

"The minister must deal with the damage and distress that has already been caused by this government. She must also start to rebuild opportunity for young Scots' futures."

Schools have set exam-like assessments to meet demands from the SQA for evidence to back up teacher assessments.

However, the system has come in for intense criticism after it emerged that pupils were sharing questions from papers on social media, with no requirement for them to be sat at the same time across the country.

Labour is calling for a 'no detriment' provision to be included in the appeals system and for guaranteed resits for any pupils who want one.

Fiona Robertson, head of the SQA, had promised to set out the appeals process for the new system by early May at the latest but she is yet to do so.

Last Wednesday, Mr Swinney told Parliament he expected it to be "published shortly", with the vast majority of pupils' estimated grades having to be submitted by June 25.

An SQA spokesman said: "The outcomes of the appeals consultation are currently being finalised, following the public consultation.

"We aim to announce details of the appeals process imminently. Learners should be reassured that a comprehensive appeals process will be in place in good time.”

Asked at her coronavirus briefing whether the delay was acceptable, Ms Sturgeon suggested it was because consultation was still ongoing over what the appeals system would look like.

She said: “We're taking great care over these decisions, it's important that we try to get the system for appeals right and we've been listening carefully to some of the representations that have been made from people, including the children's commission.

“The details of it are being finalised and we do expect to publish the details of what the appeals process looks like very soon.”