Chamber
Plenary, 27 Jun 2001
27 Jun 2001 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
National Qualifications<br />(2001 Exam Diet)
I welcome the minister's statement, which seems practical and contains lots of positive news. I thank everyone involved in the work that has gone into preparing diet 2001. Like Jack McConnell, I wish the candidates well.
I have a couple of questions about this year's diet and about the review. There are lessons to be learned from the marking problems. I wonder about scheduling the examinations to help the recruitment of markers. The minister mentioned the final check. Reading between the lines, I take it that some of the individual centres have yet to undertake or solidify that final check. Will the independent appeals review team have any direct involvement in this year's process, or is it a back-up?
The review is welcome and the minister has renewed an important pledge to reduce the complexity, variety and volume of assessment. Teachers will be absolutely delighted to hear him repeating that pledge which, I hope, will be fulfilled. The minister said that reducing the volume of assessment is still causing dilemmas and talked about the options that are available. Can he give us an indication of the nature and extent of the consultation and of the time scale involved?
I am also interested in the fact that he talked about considering assessment course by course. What does that mean? I hope it does not mean that there will a one-size-fits-all answer to the problem. I welcome the further consideration of streamlining registrations, which were near the heart of a lot of the problems that we had last year.
I have a couple of questions about this year's diet and about the review. There are lessons to be learned from the marking problems. I wonder about scheduling the examinations to help the recruitment of markers. The minister mentioned the final check. Reading between the lines, I take it that some of the individual centres have yet to undertake or solidify that final check. Will the independent appeals review team have any direct involvement in this year's process, or is it a back-up?
The review is welcome and the minister has renewed an important pledge to reduce the complexity, variety and volume of assessment. Teachers will be absolutely delighted to hear him repeating that pledge which, I hope, will be fulfilled. The minister said that reducing the volume of assessment is still causing dilemmas and talked about the options that are available. Can he give us an indication of the nature and extent of the consultation and of the time scale involved?
I am also interested in the fact that he talked about considering assessment course by course. What does that mean? I hope it does not mean that there will a one-size-fits-all answer to the problem. I welcome the further consideration of streamlining registrations, which were near the heart of a lot of the problems that we had last year.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
Our next item of business is a statement by Mr Jack McConnell, on national qualifications and the 2001 exam diet. As usual, there will be questions at the en...
The Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs (Mr Jack McConnell):
Lab
Like everyone, I was saddened to read this morning of yet another tragic suicide of a young person in Scotland, which should be a source of great concern to ...
Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I give a broad welcome to the largely positive developments and progress that have taken place since Easter. I add also the Scottish National Party's appreci...
Mr McConnell:
Lab
It is appropriate for any long-term review to include on-going monitoring of the implementation of the new qualifications and the role of the Scottish Qualif...
Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
In trying to calm our nerves, the minister has clearly taken today's prayer to heart. Thankfully, there will be no deep intakes of breath following the minis...
Mr McConnell:
Lab
The review that I referred to has been under way for some months. It is not a new review; it was referred to by the Minister for Finance and Local Government...
Ian Jenkins (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD):
LD
I welcome the minister's statement, which seems practical and contains lots of positive news. I thank everyone involved in the work that has gone into prepar...
Mr McConnell:
Lab
I understand that next year's examination diet timetable allows three weeks for marking—longer than was available this year or last year. That is certainly a...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Seven members would like to be called and we have just under seven minutes, so exchanges should be short.
Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab):
Lab
I thank the minister for his statement.On the appeals process for this year and next year, the minister will agree that it is unacceptable that some students...
Mr McConnell:
Lab
The arrangements that I outlined are for both types of centre—further education colleges and schools. There will be special helplines for both and there will...
Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I, too, welcome the minister's statement. I have three short, sharp questions.First, I heard what the minister said about appeals, but there was a little hin...
Mr McConnell:
Lab
Mr Neil will not be surprised to learn that they are easy questions for which there are probably not exact answers. I do not have a figure for the exact spen...
Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the minister's statement, especially his commitment to consult the Education, Culture and Sport Committee.Does the minister agree that teachers and...
Mr McConnell:
Lab
On the involvement of young people, I pay tribute to Jennifer Bryce, from Cumnock Academy, and Victoria MacDuff, from St Modan's High School in Stirling, who...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
We have run out of time, but I will take the four remaining members if they ask one question each. The minister will give an omnibus reply.
Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP):
SNP
If the minister were wearing a halo today, it would be a 1,000-watt halo. Well done.I will focus on the data that have come into the SQA system from the Scot...
Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD):
LD
Can the minister assure us that his package of measures will greatly reduce the flood of paperwork that engulfs schools and colleges?
Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab):
Lab
Will the minister give a commitment to continue initiatives such as meeting head teachers and teachers at the secondary schools that serve my constituency of...
Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Following on from Hugh Henry's question, I return to the theme of acquiring direct feedback from Scotland's teachers. They can write to the letters pages of ...
Mr McConnell:
Lab
On the first question, we are endeavouring to do just what Mr Stevenson has asked and ensure that all data are appropriate and accurate. On Mr Gorrie's quest...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I thank members for their co-operation.