Latest news with #Gilruth
Glasgow Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Holyrood passes legislation to abolish SQA exams body
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is set to be scrapped and replaced by a new body called Qualifications Scotland. The Education (Scotland) Bill was passed by 69 votes to 47 late on Wednesday evening, following two days of debate. As well as abolishing the SQA, the bill also sets out plans for a new chief inspector of education, who will be tasked with inspecting nurseries, schools and colleges across Scotland. READ NEXT: Scotland sees 'rare' weather phenomenon as weather set to shift READ NEXT: Banned driver who left friend in wheelchair for life after crash jailed The bill states that Qualification Scotland will have to give equal weighting to both British Sign Language (BSL) and the Gaelic language. It also outlines that the new body must consider the needs of pupils who use BSL or learn in BSL. The new body is expected to be up and running in the autumn, after this year's exam results are released. It comes almost five years after the 2020 exams scandal, where marks for more than 124,000 pupils were downgraded after exams had to be scrapped as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking as the legislation was passed, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said the bill would "fundamentally create a new and a different type of organisation which works with the teaching profession differently". Jenny Gilruth And speaking after the vote, Gilruth said: 'The successful passage of this legislation shows this Government is serious about implementing the changes needed to drive improvement across Scotland's education and skills system. "The creation of a new national qualifications body is about building the right conditions for reform to flourish; the new body will ensure that knowledge and experience of pupils and teachers are at the heart of our national qualifications offering." Gilruth added that the new chief inspector would have "greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections". 'Throughout this process, I have been determined to work with other parties on this vital legislation. I am also grateful to teaching unions and other organisations across civic Scotland who contributed to its development," she continued. 'Taken together our major programme of education and skills reform will bring about the changes needed to meet the needs of future generations of young people." The bill was backed by the Scottish Greens, who said that the new body "will put the voices of teachers and students at its heart". The party's education spokesperson, Ross Greer, who has previously campaigned for an overhaul of the exams body, said he was pleased MSPs had voted for "this fresh start in Scottish education". Ross Greer He said: "Senior leadership at the SQA was given the opportunity to change over many years, but refused to do so. "Replacing the organisation with one legally required to listen to teachers and students will end this constant cycle of scandals. "Now we can begin rebuilding the trust which was so completely destroyed over the last decade and put the focus back on supporting students." But he added that such reform needed to be followed up with "urgent work" to reduce teachers' workload and an overhaul of the "Victorian-era" end of term exams system towards a model of ongoing assessment. Greer also hit out at Scottish Labour, who voted down the bill on the basis it did not go far enough. "Labour's vote to protect the scandal-plagued and unaccountable SQA is bizarre," he said. 'How can anyone look at the mistakes of recent years and think it can continue? We need real change for students and teachers, which this bill will deliver." Both Labour and the Tories voted down the bill on Wednesday. Pam Duncan-Glancy, Scottish Labour's education spokesperson, said: 'We needed a qualifications system fit for the future, one that respects the efforts of learners, supports the judgment of teachers, and earns the trust of employers and universities. 'We needed a curriculum that is broad and inclusive, we needed an inspectorate that can challenge where necessary but also celebrate excellence. But on reform this is a job unfinished.' Meanwhile, Scottish Tory education spokesperson Miles Briggs said the new body was "little more than a rebrand of the SQA". 'The SQA needed an overhaul, not a cosmetic makeover, and the changes proposed fall way short of what is required to ensure the organisation can operate effectively and is properly accountable," he added.
The National
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Holyrood passes legislation to abolish SQA exams body
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is set to be scrapped and replaced by a new body called Qualifications Scotland. The Education (Scotland) Bill was passed by 69 votes to 47 late on Wednesday evening, following two days of debate. As well as abolishing the SQA, the bill also sets out plans for a new chief inspector of education, who will be tasked with inspecting nurseries, schools and colleges across Scotland. READ MORE: 100 charities challenge Ian Murray and Scottish Labour to oppose UK welfare cuts The bill states that Qualification Scotland will have to give equal weighting to both British Sign Language (BSL) and the Gaelic language. It also outlines that the new body must consider the needs of pupils who use BSL or learn in BSL. The new body is expected to be up and running in the autumn, after this year's exam results are released. It comes almost five years after the 2020 exams scandal, where marks for more than 124,000 pupils were downgraded after exams had to be scrapped as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking as the legislation was passed, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said the bill would "fundamentally create a new and a different type of organisation which works with the teaching profession differently". Jenny Gilruth And speaking after the vote, Gilruth said: 'The successful passage of this legislation shows this Government is serious about implementing the changes needed to drive improvement across Scotland's education and skills system. "The creation of a new national qualifications body is about building the right conditions for reform to flourish; the new body will ensure that knowledge and experience of pupils and teachers are at the heart of our national qualifications offering." Gilruth added that the new chief inspector would have "greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections". READ MORE: SNP MPs join Labour rebellion in bid to kill off benefit cuts 'Throughout this process, I have been determined to work with other parties on this vital legislation. I am also grateful to teaching unions and other organisations across civic Scotland who contributed to its development," she continued. 'Taken together our major programme of education and skills reform will bring about the changes needed to meet the needs of future generations of young people." The bill was backed by the Scottish Greens, who said that the new body "will put the voices of teachers and students at its heart". The party's education spokesperson, Ross Greer, who has previously campaigned for an overhaul of the exams body, said he was pleased MSPs had voted for "this fresh start in Scottish education". Ross Greer He said: "Senior leadership at the SQA was given the opportunity to change over many years, but refused to do so. "Replacing the organisation with one legally required to listen to teachers and students will end this constant cycle of scandals. "Now we can begin rebuilding the trust which was so completely destroyed over the last decade and put the focus back on supporting students." But he added that such reform needed to be followed up with "urgent work" to reduce teachers' workload and an overhaul of the "Victorian-era" end of term exams system towards a model of ongoing assessment. Greer also hit out at Scottish Labour, who voted down the bill on the basis it did not go far enough. "Labour's vote to protect the scandal-plagued and unaccountable SQA is bizarre," he said. 'How can anyone look at the mistakes of recent years and think it can continue? We need real change for students and teachers, which this bill will deliver." READ MORE: UK nations unite against Labour's 'inadequate' devolution approach Both Labour and the Tories voted down the bill on Wednesday. Pam Duncan-Glancy, Scottish Labour's education spokesperson, said: 'We needed a qualifications system fit for the future, one that respects the efforts of learners, supports the judgment of teachers, and earns the trust of employers and universities. 'We needed a curriculum that is broad and inclusive, we needed an inspectorate that can challenge where necessary but also celebrate excellence. But on reform this is a job unfinished.' Meanwhile, Scottish Tory education spokesperson Miles Briggs said the new body was "little more than a rebrand of the SQA". 'The SQA needed an overhaul, not a cosmetic makeover, and the changes proposed fall way short of what is required to ensure the organisation can operate effectively and is properly accountable," he added.
Leader Live
24-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Education Secretary announces £40 million for crisis-hit Dundee University
Jenny Gilruth said the money has been agreed 'in principle' and will be given out over a two-year academic period. She said the Scottish Government had used a special power to order the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), which usually issues cash independently, to give the award directly to Dundee, due to the 'exceptional circumstances' surrounding the university. 'This is a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances which require a unique and unprecedented response,' she said in a statement to Holyrood. The minister said the cash would come with conditions and that it would only be released once a sustainable, long-term recovery plan is put in place by the university. It comes after a scathing report into the university's handling of its financial crisis led to the resignations of three senior members of the institution, including its interim principal. The report by the SFC found that university bosses, and its governing body, repeatedly failed to identify the crisis and take action, describing problems facing it as 'self-inflicted'. The Scottish Government had already funded a £22 million bailout of the institution, which is struggling to deal with a £35 million financial black hole. Speaking to MSPs on Tuesday, Ms Gilruth said she would focus on ensuring the university 'emerges from this crisis stronger than ever'. She said: 'I can confirm that the Scottish Government will provide funding in principle of up to £40 million over two academic years or three financial years via the Scottish Funding Council to support the University of Dundee.' The Education Secretary said that while funding decisions on universities are usually a matter for the SFC, the Scottish Government had to directly step in, given the scale of the crisis at Dundee. She said: 'This is a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances which require a unique and unprecedented response. 'Where there has been the appearance of financial mismanagement at an institution, Scottish ministers are obliged to consider whether it is necessary or expedient to issue a direction to the SFC about the provision of financial support. 'Subject to the public value tests I have set out today, Scottish ministers consider it is both necessary and expedient for a direction to be issued to the SFC under Section 25 of the Further and Higher Education Scotland Act 2005. 'The use of this power is unprecedented and has been made necessary by the exceptional circumstances at the university.' Ms Gilruth told MSPs the £40 million fund was 'not about rewarding failure'. She said: 'This is about responding to an unprecedented and unique situation which threatens much of what we hold dear in our university sector.' She added: 'The Scottish Government is determined to do everything that we can to secure a positive future for Dundee University that must be achieved through delivery of a sustainable long-term recovery plan, which will see public financial support work alongside commercial and private investment to ultimately see reliance on extraordinary public funding ending.' Miles Briggs, education spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: 'While the priority must be ensuring Dundee University gets on the road to recovery, it is hard to accept that we should just draw a line under the financial vandalism that went on for far too long. 'Those responsible for that gross mismanagement have rightly fallen on their sword but we must now see SNP ministers robustly scrutinise how the university will bring their finances into a sustainable position going forward. 'Staff and students remain deeply concerned about the precarious position the university finds itself in and will be worried that there appears to be no sign of a Plan B currently. 'There was clearly something rotten with the culture that was allowed to fester within Dundee University and that came from the very top. 'Too many of Scotland's universities are in an unsustainable position currently, yet we are still to see SNP ministers or university bosses address this crisis with the leadership that is required.'
South Wales Guardian
24-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Education Secretary announces £40 million for crisis-hit Dundee University
Jenny Gilruth said the money has been agreed 'in principle' and will be given out over a two-year academic period. She said the Scottish Government had used a special power to order the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), which usually issues cash independently, to give the award directly to Dundee, due to the 'exceptional circumstances' surrounding the university. 'This is a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances which require a unique and unprecedented response,' she said in a statement to Holyrood. The minister said the cash would come with conditions and that it would only be released once a sustainable, long-term recovery plan is put in place by the university. It comes after a scathing report into the university's handling of its financial crisis led to the resignations of three senior members of the institution, including its interim principal. The report by the SFC found that university bosses, and its governing body, repeatedly failed to identify the crisis and take action, describing problems facing it as 'self-inflicted'. The Scottish Government had already funded a £22 million bailout of the institution, which is struggling to deal with a £35 million financial black hole. Speaking to MSPs on Tuesday, Ms Gilruth said she would focus on ensuring the university 'emerges from this crisis stronger than ever'. She said: 'I can confirm that the Scottish Government will provide funding in principle of up to £40 million over two academic years or three financial years via the Scottish Funding Council to support the University of Dundee.' The Education Secretary said that while funding decisions on universities are usually a matter for the SFC, the Scottish Government had to directly step in, given the scale of the crisis at Dundee. She said: 'This is a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances which require a unique and unprecedented response. 'Where there has been the appearance of financial mismanagement at an institution, Scottish ministers are obliged to consider whether it is necessary or expedient to issue a direction to the SFC about the provision of financial support. 'Subject to the public value tests I have set out today, Scottish ministers consider it is both necessary and expedient for a direction to be issued to the SFC under Section 25 of the Further and Higher Education Scotland Act 2005. 'The use of this power is unprecedented and has been made necessary by the exceptional circumstances at the university.' Ms Gilruth told MSPs the £40 million fund was 'not about rewarding failure'. She said: 'This is about responding to an unprecedented and unique situation which threatens much of what we hold dear in our university sector.' She added: 'The Scottish Government is determined to do everything that we can to secure a positive future for Dundee University that must be achieved through delivery of a sustainable long-term recovery plan, which will see public financial support work alongside commercial and private investment to ultimately see reliance on extraordinary public funding ending.' Miles Briggs, education spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: 'While the priority must be ensuring Dundee University gets on the road to recovery, it is hard to accept that we should just draw a line under the financial vandalism that went on for far too long. 'Those responsible for that gross mismanagement have rightly fallen on their sword but we must now see SNP ministers robustly scrutinise how the university will bring their finances into a sustainable position going forward. 'Staff and students remain deeply concerned about the precarious position the university finds itself in and will be worried that there appears to be no sign of a Plan B currently. 'There was clearly something rotten with the culture that was allowed to fester within Dundee University and that came from the very top. 'Too many of Scotland's universities are in an unsustainable position currently, yet we are still to see SNP ministers or university bosses address this crisis with the leadership that is required.'
Rhyl Journal
24-06-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Education Secretary announces £40 million for crisis-hit Dundee University
Jenny Gilruth said the money has been agreed 'in principle' and will be given out over a two-year academic period. She said the Scottish Government had used a special power to order the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), which usually issues cash independently, to give the award directly to Dundee, due to the 'exceptional circumstances' surrounding the university. 'This is a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances which require a unique and unprecedented response,' she said in a statement to Holyrood. The minister said the cash would come with conditions and that it would only be released once a sustainable, long-term recovery plan is put in place by the university. It comes after a scathing report into the university's handling of its financial crisis led to the resignations of three senior members of the institution, including its interim principal. The report by the SFC found that university bosses, and its governing body, repeatedly failed to identify the crisis and take action, describing problems facing it as 'self-inflicted'. The Scottish Government had already funded a £22 million bailout of the institution, which is struggling to deal with a £35 million financial black hole. Speaking to MSPs on Tuesday, Ms Gilruth said she would focus on ensuring the university 'emerges from this crisis stronger than ever'. She said: 'I can confirm that the Scottish Government will provide funding in principle of up to £40 million over two academic years or three financial years via the Scottish Funding Council to support the University of Dundee.' The Education Secretary said that while funding decisions on universities are usually a matter for the SFC, the Scottish Government had to directly step in, given the scale of the crisis at Dundee. She said: 'This is a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances which require a unique and unprecedented response. 'Where there has been the appearance of financial mismanagement at an institution, Scottish ministers are obliged to consider whether it is necessary or expedient to issue a direction to the SFC about the provision of financial support. 'Subject to the public value tests I have set out today, Scottish ministers consider it is both necessary and expedient for a direction to be issued to the SFC under Section 25 of the Further and Higher Education Scotland Act 2005. 'The use of this power is unprecedented and has been made necessary by the exceptional circumstances at the university.' Ms Gilruth told MSPs the £40 million fund was 'not about rewarding failure'. She said: 'This is about responding to an unprecedented and unique situation which threatens much of what we hold dear in our university sector.' She added: 'The Scottish Government is determined to do everything that we can to secure a positive future for Dundee University that must be achieved through delivery of a sustainable long-term recovery plan, which will see public financial support work alongside commercial and private investment to ultimately see reliance on extraordinary public funding ending.' Miles Briggs, education spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: 'While the priority must be ensuring Dundee University gets on the road to recovery, it is hard to accept that we should just draw a line under the financial vandalism that went on for far too long. 'Those responsible for that gross mismanagement have rightly fallen on their sword but we must now see SNP ministers robustly scrutinise how the university will bring their finances into a sustainable position going forward. 'Staff and students remain deeply concerned about the precarious position the university finds itself in and will be worried that there appears to be no sign of a Plan B currently. 'There was clearly something rotten with the culture that was allowed to fester within Dundee University and that came from the very top. 'Too many of Scotland's universities are in an unsustainable position currently, yet we are still to see SNP ministers or university bosses address this crisis with the leadership that is required.'
