Chamber
Plenary, 13 Sep 2001
13 Sep 2001 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Scottish Qualifications Authority
I welcome the minister's statement and join him in paying tribute to all those who have been involved with the exam results this year, in particular the SQA chair, John Ward, Bill Morton, the SQA board, all the SQA staff, the teachers and staff in Scotland's schools, colleges and local authorities, and the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs and his team, who have worked very hard indeed. What I have to say in my question is not a criticism of any or all of those people.
I also pay tribute to Colin MacLean. I did not tell the minister too early on that Colin MacLean and I were at university together, in case it prejudiced the minister against him. The minister's tribute to Colin MacLean, however, highlights the problem with his statement. I do not know whether the minister will agree, but I think it is true to say that, to all intents and purposes, the SQA has been operating as an agency over the past year, and has needed to operate as an agency to fulfil its functions. It is obvious that the SQA will need to continue to operate with the type of support and direction that that implies throughout the next period of years. That is absolutely clear from page 10 of the minister's statement, which indicates an arrangement with a non-departmental public body that is far from ordinary.
I have three clear questions for the minister. First, if the close relationship has started to put things back on track, surely the lesson is that that close relationship will be necessary over a period of years to restore the necessary confidence in the Scottish exam system. The views that the committees took last year, sound as they were, have been overtaken by events, because it is the SQA's operating under agency status that has made the difference over the past year.
Secondly, if the aim of us all, as it has to be, is to restore normal service, surely we should have wide consultation on the status of the SQA, rather than an ex cathedra pronouncement. The pronouncement closes down debate on a matter that requires more discussion.
Thirdly, I accept that all reform is difficult and takes time, but surely it would be possible over a period of years to design a system that could make the SQA again the gold standard of Scottish education while paying attention to the clear difficulties of serving two different client groups, schools and colleges. The minister's statement in no way recognises the demands of those two client groups.
Will the minister confirm, first, that his statement means that the SQA's agency status is being changed to something else and that it does not mark a reversion to the status quo? Secondly, instead of closing down the options, will the minister confirm that we will have a consultation period to consider the options? Thirdly, instead of assuming that the needs of the different client groups are similar, will the minister ensure that the needs of those groups are addressed? Everybody in Scottish colleges and schools will tell him that the core of the problem—bringing together two organisations that never gelled in their ethos or work—still remains. That matter was at the heart of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee's report.
I also pay tribute to Colin MacLean. I did not tell the minister too early on that Colin MacLean and I were at university together, in case it prejudiced the minister against him. The minister's tribute to Colin MacLean, however, highlights the problem with his statement. I do not know whether the minister will agree, but I think it is true to say that, to all intents and purposes, the SQA has been operating as an agency over the past year, and has needed to operate as an agency to fulfil its functions. It is obvious that the SQA will need to continue to operate with the type of support and direction that that implies throughout the next period of years. That is absolutely clear from page 10 of the minister's statement, which indicates an arrangement with a non-departmental public body that is far from ordinary.
I have three clear questions for the minister. First, if the close relationship has started to put things back on track, surely the lesson is that that close relationship will be necessary over a period of years to restore the necessary confidence in the Scottish exam system. The views that the committees took last year, sound as they were, have been overtaken by events, because it is the SQA's operating under agency status that has made the difference over the past year.
Secondly, if the aim of us all, as it has to be, is to restore normal service, surely we should have wide consultation on the status of the SQA, rather than an ex cathedra pronouncement. The pronouncement closes down debate on a matter that requires more discussion.
Thirdly, I accept that all reform is difficult and takes time, but surely it would be possible over a period of years to design a system that could make the SQA again the gold standard of Scottish education while paying attention to the clear difficulties of serving two different client groups, schools and colleges. The minister's statement in no way recognises the demands of those two client groups.
Will the minister confirm, first, that his statement means that the SQA's agency status is being changed to something else and that it does not mark a reversion to the status quo? Secondly, instead of closing down the options, will the minister confirm that we will have a consultation period to consider the options? Thirdly, instead of assuming that the needs of the different client groups are similar, will the minister ensure that the needs of those groups are addressed? Everybody in Scottish colleges and schools will tell him that the core of the problem—bringing together two organisations that never gelled in their ethos or work—still remains. That matter was at the heart of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee's report.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
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The Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs (Mr Jack McConnell):
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Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP):
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I welcome the minister's statement and join him in paying tribute to all those who have been involved with the exam results this year, in particular the SQA ...
Mr McConnell:
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I thank Mike Russell for his thanks and congratulations, which are much appreciated. I knew that Colin MacLean and Mike Russell had been at university togeth...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
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Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
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Mr McConnell:
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George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD):
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Mr McConnell:
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Mr McConnell:
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Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab):
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Mr McConnell:
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Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con):
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Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab):
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Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD):
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Mr Frank McAveety (Glasgow Shettleston) (Lab):
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Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con):
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Bristow Muldoon (Livingston) (Lab):
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Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD):
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