Question reference: S5W-34517
- Asked by: Iain Gray, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 12 January 2021
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 29 January 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has held with the SQA regarding the publication date of the 2021 results and, to allow more time for teachers to assess and compile evidence and additional learning time for students, what its position is on pushing back the 6 August date.
Answer
The priority for schools and colleges during this time should be to maximise learning and teaching time to ensure that young people have the necessary foundation and coverage of course content. Young people's mental health is a priority and I recognise that the timing of assessments to support the determining of provisional grades will also have an impact on young people’s wellbeing.
The National Qualifications 2021 Group, which includes representation from the Scottish Government, Education Scotland, Scottish Qualifications Authority, and other key stakeholders is working through a range of scenarios and is considering potential flexibilities for the alternative certification model, should they be needed as a result of the current remote learning approach. On 27 January, the Group confirmed that the date for schools and colleges to submit provisional grades has moved from 28 May 2021 to 18 June 2021.
There are currently no plans to change the date of publication of the results from 10 August 2021.