Chamber
Plenary, 06 Sep 2000
06 Sep 2000 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Exam Results
As I think I explained, and as will now be clear to everyone, I have absolutely no powers to instruct the SQA to do anything. After consultation, the Executive can give it directions in matters relating to the carrying out of its function as laid out in statute, but we have no powers other than that.
I will deal with the question about teachers' assessments. As Mr Harper will know, the Scottish examination system is based on external moderation, by means of an exam, of internal assessment by the teacher. The higher still has tried to extend that internal assessment. In an appeal, the teacher's assessment is the crucial part. Provided that the teacher's assessment is correct, that is what is taken as the final mark. I am sure that Mr Harper agrees that that must remain the position. If we move from that position, we devalue the appeals system. The situation will be overseen by the directors of education.
I will deal with the question about teachers' assessments. As Mr Harper will know, the Scottish examination system is based on external moderation, by means of an exam, of internal assessment by the teacher. The higher still has tried to extend that internal assessment. In an appeal, the teacher's assessment is the crucial part. Provided that the teacher's assessment is correct, that is what is taken as the final mark. I am sure that Mr Harper agrees that that must remain the position. If we move from that position, we devalue the appeals system. The situation will be overseen by the directors of education.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
We move to the next item of business, which is a statement by Sam Galbraith on an independent inquiry into problems with exam results. The minister will take...
The Minister for Children and Education (Mr Sam Galbraith):
Lab
In the four weeks since this year's exam results were issued, serious problems—indeed, very serious problems—have emerged. There has been widespread and unde...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I ask those who wish to question the minister to press their request-to-speak buttons now and remind members that the Parliament has decided that this will b...
Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
Listening to the minister's statement, I cannot help but think that even now he does not fully appreciate the enormity of the crisis and the effect it has ha...
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
All through this episode, I awaited some constructive comments or criticism from the Opposition's education spokesperson. None was forthcoming and, again, no...
Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I thank the minister for making his statement available in advance. The statement refers to snap judgments and accountability. When the exam shambles began t...
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
Again, that contribution was mostly a statement of "facts" that were not true, without any specific question. There have been many scare stories and many har...
Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD):
LD
I thank the minister for his statement. I also welcome the longer time we have to put questions to him, which my party pushed for during the past few days. W...
Mr Lloyd Quinan (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
We have heard that before.
Mr Stone:
LD
Mr Quinan is going to hear it again. This Parliament is founded on its committees: they are paramount. Any attempt to undermine them is entirely wrong. Inter...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Could we have a question please.
Mr Stone:
LD
If I could have a moment of silence from members, I would ask a question.We must all put this situation right. Unfortunately, there is a question mark—perhap...
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
I very much agree: there is concern and that concern is understandable. It is not, of course, helped by a number of individuals going round making wild claim...
Mrs Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab):
Lab
I too welcome the information that the minister has been able to provide us with today; I look forward to his providing even more when he appears in front of...
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
I thank the member for her comments. The appeals mechanism deals with the question of scripts that she raises. There is a set-out procedure that will be moni...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
A week ago, I issued a press statement to say that I was not calling for the minister's resignation. I am not doing so because I want to ask him an important...
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
As I think I explained, and as will now be clear to everyone, I have absolutely no powers to instruct the SQA to do anything. After consultation, the Executi...
Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Presiding Officer, you might like to note that if the original plan for a 45-minute session had been adhered to, I would not have been able to ask a question...
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
The information I provided in my statement was given as openly, fairly and honestly as I could possibly have given it. I repeat: the SQA has completed its ch...
Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab):
Lab
I thank the minister and welcome what he said on the assurances about the appeals system and on the checks and spot checks that are to be in place. However, ...
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
Mary Mulligan has already addressed the matter of scripts going back to schools. The schools tell us that they are not able to cope with that. I say again th...
David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
Mr Galbraith said that he felt let down by assurances given by the SQA that were not followed up. I hope that I am a fair person, but I feel let down by the ...
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
Reading my statement, seeing the meetings that we had and seeing what we did, most fair people would not agree with that. We pursued the issue of marking. We...
Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
This is not the first statement that the minister has had to make to the chamber; I recall that there was one on Scottish Opera's £3 million deficit and thre...
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
I am sure that people outside this chamber will be amazed and disappointed that a member of the SNP is making such a cheap political point out of a very seri...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab):
Lab
Is the minister aware that many people in our communities have serious concerns about the practice and competence of the SQA and find it simply impossible to...
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
I agree with much of what Johann Lamont says. I must point out that the SQA was set up under an act of Parliament in 1996 and, to my knowledge—although I may...
Ian Jenkins (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD):
LD
Does the minister recognise the gut-wrenching anger, dismay and sense of betrayal that teachers across Scotland feel, having spent years preparing themselves...
Mr Galbraith:
Lab
The inquiry will deal with the concordance system, but that is a technical matter related to SQA exam results and there are no circumstances in which ministe...
Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
Will the minister assure us that, while he will of course observe the letter of the law, he will see fit to change the law if it is rotten? It appears that t...