Question reference: S5W-29901
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 15 June 2020
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 1 July 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential for some or all pupils to repeat a school year because of the COVID-19 crisis, and whether this course of action has been ruled out.
Answer
The COVID-19 Education Recovery Group, the group which is bringing together national and local government and key education and early learning and childcare stakeholders to provide advice on taking forward Scottish education in the light of COVID-19, has not received or considered any proposal for pupils to repeat a school year due to the COVID-19 crisis. That Group is focussed on supporting the education system so that pupils may resume attendance at schools and early learning and childcare at the earliest time it is safe to do so.
Local authorities, schools, teachers and practitioners have been working together to provide support to pupils since schools closed in March 2019, and that support will continue when young people return to school. In addition, local authorities continue to offer support for eligible children through their Hub provisions and the Scottish Government has published guidance on supporting learning in Term 4 and ensuring continuity of learning beyond that . Any concerns regarding individual pupils should be raised with their school and education authority.