Hansard

The Conservative motion that we are debating has many asks, and it appears to be a composite of many issues, some of which, as has been said, have been superseded by yesterday’s announcement by the cabinet secretary. However, I will try to address most of the points that are raised in the motion.

On safe schools, the safety of pupils, teachers and all school staff has been paramount in the Government’s approach to dealing with the pandemic. Arrangements have already been put in place, in conjunction with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, to allow members of school staff to get a coronavirus test whether or not they have symptoms, and we are the only part of the UK that provides such routine access. In addition, when schools return in January, we will begin to pilot routine asymptomatic testing of school staff. Teachers and all school staff should not feel that they are being put at risk simply by doing their job.

The call from the Conservatives to bring forward free school lunches and breakfasts to all primary pupils from the start of the next financial year is, in my view, pretty breathtaking. I acknowledge Jamie Greene’s personal view on that call, but it is in their motion. I would not have thought that the Tories needed reminding that it was their Westminster Government that had to be shamed into giving free meals to pupils during the school holidays by a premier league footballer, so it is a bit rich to call on us to bring forward our own ground-breaking initiative.

That, coupled with the news from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation that more than half a million children across the UK are living in poverty because of Westminster failings, really compounds that extraordinary part of the motion.

The question about the 2021 higher exam diet was answered in full by the education secretary yesterday. National 5, higher and advanced higher exams in 2021 will be replaced by alternative certification models, and measures will be in place to address and decrease the workloads of teachers and lecturers. They will rightfully receive a one-off payment for their extra work in assessing and marking exam courses this year—a process that I am confident will be carried out professionally and efficiently. I am glad that comprehensive guidance on the process will be given, but it is important that the Government responds quickly to any difficulties that might arise, given the importance of those assessments for the future of our children.

I believe that cancelling exams was a sensible and logical decision, given the disruption that the virus has caused to learning this year. Many pupils have lost significant learning time through the lockdown or self-isolation, and evidence shows that pupils from the most disadvantaged backgrounds have been affected disproportionately. It is vital that they are not disadvantaged further.

A teacher-based assessment of individual learner attainment might offer a better approach to delivering fairness, especially when supported by an exceptional circumstances process and an appeals process. I am also pleased that the cabinet secretary has confirmed that no algorithms will be used in the assessment process.

All those who are involved in delivering Scottish education this year have faced a monumental task. There have been no easy resolutions to the issues that have arisen over the past nine months and the challenges that lie ahead. Facing that reality, the Scottish Government has taken action to help schools respond to the challenges of Covid with additional investment of £135 million, which includes funding for the recruitment of more than 1,400 additional teachers. The £50 million education recovery fund, which supports councils to deal with additional staffing requirements and with cleaning, facilities management, transport and other issues, is critical to ensuring a safe return to schools; it is absolutely vital.

We are living in unprecedented times and are having to take unheard-of decisions. However, I am confident that the Government has made young people and our valued teaching staff an absolute priority during the pandemic.