Meeting of the Parliament 26 March 2025
I acknowledge the potential for significant amendment, but nevertheless committee members supported the bill’s principles.
To answer the specific point about the order of the process, any amendments that are agreed to in regard to qualifications Scotland’s governance arrangements can and will be fully incorporated into the process. Furthermore, the person specification and subsequent advertisements will not be finalised until after the bill has completed stage 2, which will allow any changes to be made. There is no counting of chickens here.
I emphasise that, if the order is not approved, it will not be possible to start making regulated appointments to qualifications Scotland’s board in time for its establishment in autumn 2025, which will have consequences. It is surely in the interests of Scotland’s pupils and teachers that members of the Parliament work together to ensure that the new body is operational and in place to oversee the 2026 examination diet. I ask Parliament to support the order.