Latest news with #PamDuncan-Glancy
STV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
MSPs pass legislation to scrap SQA for new Scottish exams body
Holyrood has passed legislation that will abolish Scotland's exam body – despite claims from opposition parties that the replacement organisation is 'little more than a rebrand'. Both Labour and the Conservatives voted against the Bill, which will dissolve the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and set up a new organisation, to be called Qualifications Scotland to take its place. This is expected to be up and running in the autumn of 2025 – after this year's exams results come out. It comes almost five years after the 2020 exams scandal, where marks for more than 124,000 youngsters were downgraded after exams had to be scrapped as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. But Labour education spokesperson Pam Duncan-Glancy said: 'Instead of abolishing the SQA today the Bill allows the current leadership to transfer wholesale.' She insisted that 'on reform this is a job unfinished'. Similarly, Scottish Conservative education spokesperson said the changes, in the Education (Scotland) Bill would not deliver the 'meaningful reform for Scotland's education system which is urgently needed'. He argued that the new exams body was 'little more than a rebrand of the SQA'. Briggs said: '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.' But speaking as the legislation was passed by 69 votes to 47, eeducation secretary Jenny Gilruth rejected those claims. Instead, she said, the Bill would 'fundamentally create a new and a different type of organisation which works with the teaching profession differently'. In addition it will establish a new chief inspector of education, who will be tasked with inspecting nurseries, schools and colleges across Scotland. Here she said there was a 'cast-iron guarantee' that the person who takes up this post would have 'suitable teaching and educational leadership experience'. The education secretary said: 'Through the creation of a new qualifications body and an independent inspectorate, the Bill enables a more responsive, trusted and effective national education infrastructure.' The legislation, passed after two nights of late sittings at Holyrood, will provide 'the scaffolding which supports the wider range of education reform', she added. Briggs, however, said: 'It does feel like the Bill has been rushed through Parliament in the last week of term.' He added that 'this Bill has not been the opportunity many of us had hoped it would be', claiming it was 'clear SNP ministers' policies and half-baked reforms are not delivering for our young people'. Duncan-Glancy was also critical, saying: '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.' Gilrtuh said afterwards: '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. 'The new inspectorate body will also have greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections, moving this function away from ministers, to His Majesty's Chief Inspector.' She added: '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.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
SQA to be scrapped and replaced as MSPs vote through education reform
The Scottish Qualifications Authority is set to be replaced with a new organisation in autumn 2025. MSPs have voted to pass legislation which will see Scotland's exam body scrapped and replaced. The existing Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) will be dissolved, and a new organisation called Qualifications Scotland set up in its place. It is expected to be running by this autumn, after exam results have been released. Plans are also in place to appoint a chief inspector for educational settings. The changes come nearly five years after the exams scandal in 2020, where marks for over 124,000 pupils were downgraded after formal exams had to be cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. However, they have prompted objections from opposition parties that the replacement organisation is "little more than a rebrand", after the legislation was passed by 69 votes to 47. Labour education spokesperson Pam Duncan-Glancy said: "Instead of abolishing the SQA today the Bill allows the current leadership to transfer wholesale." She insisted that "on reform this is a job unfinished". Similarly, Scottish Conservative education spokesperson Miles Briggs said the changes, in the Education (Scotland) Bill would not deliver the "meaningful reform for Scotland's education system which is urgently needed". He argued that the new exams body was "little more than a rebrand of the SQA". Mr Briggs added: "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." Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has rejected those claims. She said the Bill would "fundamentally create a new and a different type of organisation which works with the teaching profession differently". In addition, it will establish a new chief inspector of education, who will be tasked with inspecting nurseries, schools and colleges across Scotland. She added there was a "cast-iron guarantee" that the person who takes up this post would have "suitable teaching and educational leadership experience". Ms Gilruth said: "Through the creation of a new qualifications body and an independent inspectorate, the Bill enables a more responsive, trusted and effective national education infrastructure." The legislation, passed after two nights of late sittings at Holyrood, will provide "the scaffolding which supports the wider range of education reform", she added. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Mr Briggs, however, said: "It does feel like the Bill has been rushed through Parliament in the last week of term." He added that "this Bill has not been the opportunity many of us had hoped it would be", claiming it was "clear SNP ministers' policies and half-baked reforms are not delivering for our young people". Ms Duncan-Glancy was also critical, saying: "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." Ms Gilruth said afterwards: "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. "The new inspectorate body will also have greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections, moving this function away from ministers, to His Majesty's Chief Inspector." She added: "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 National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Scottish Labour ‘playing politics' ahead of education reforms vote
A bill from the Scottish Government which will scrap current exams body the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) as well as establish a chief inspector of education, to be tasked with inspecting nurseries, schools and colleges, faces its final vote in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday evening. But Scottish Labour MSPs have threatened to vote against the Education (Scotland) Bill, claiming as it stands it fails to deliver 'genuine reform'. READ MORE: Scotland leading the way in reducing child poverty, new report finds With a new body, Qualifications Scotland, proposed to take the place of the SQA, Labour education spokeswoman Pam Duncan-Glancy has branded the plans a 'superficial rebrand'. Her bid for the bill to establish Curriculum Scotland, a new body to take charge of setting what pupils should learn, was voted down by MSPs. In a late night sitting on Tuesday, MSPs rejected the proposal, despite Duncan-Glancy insisting it would not increase costs for the Scottish Government. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth had argued curriculum improvements are already under way, with this work being led by Education Scotland. Jenny Gilruth Gilruth insisted: 'I do not believe there are sufficient advantages to establishing a new standalone curriculum body in legislation and the expense that will incur, when we already have a national education agency being refocused on curriculum improvement and supporting implementation across the system.' With the bill due before MSPs for a final vote on Wednesday evening, SNP MSP George Adam insisted the legislation 'presents an opportunity to bring about real change which will strengthen Scotland's education landscape'. READ MORE: Scottish Government accused of 'shutting door' on rewilding and beaver restoration He added: 'It comes as no surprise, but it is nevertheless disappointing, that Labour has decided to play politics rather than prioritise Scotland's schoolchildren.' Adding the bill had been 'shaped' with input from pupils, parents and teachers, he continued: 'Despite putting forward a series of amendments to the bill, Labour has now shown that it would rather score a cheap political goal than vote for the changes it has been calling for. 'The SNP Scottish Government is proud of this bill and is committed to implementing the system and culture change required to improve outcomes and support professionals in classrooms and education settings all over Scotland.'
The Herald Scotland
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Labour calls on Holyrood to rethink education reforms
The Education (Scotland) Bill also includes plans to establish a chief inspector of education, who would be tasked with inspecting nurseries, schools and colleges across Scotland. However, Holyrood's Education Committee has warned the Bill needs "substantial amendment" to ensure the improvements ministers want to see are brought about. Labour education spokeswoman Pam Duncan-Glancy has hit out at the legislation, which she says will result in a "superficial rebrand" of the SQA. She spoke out ahead of MSPs debating hundreds of amendments to the Bill in a sitting that is expected to last until 10pm on Tuesday. Ms Duncan-Glancy said: "Scottish Labour will not back a Bill that is just tinkering around the edges of a system that is failing pupils, families and teachers." Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP Labour has brought forward amendments to the legislation seeking to set up a new independent body called Curriculum Scotland. Labour also wants to give Holyrood the ability to set in statute the minimum frequency at which school inspections should take place. It also wants to require Qualifications Scotland to engage with trade unions, as well as ensure children and young people are listened to when determining how the new bodies should operate. Speaking ahead of the amendments being debated, Ms Duncan-Glancy said: "We can see the consequences of SNP incompetence in our once-world-class schools - performance is declining, the attainment gap is growing, and violence is rife. "The SQA has lost the trust of teachers and the public - it needs to be abolished, but all the SNP has come up with is a superficial rebrand. "Only Scottish Labour's plans will genuinely scrap the SQA, deliver on the experts' calls to separate powers and create a qualifications body with teachers, children and parents at its heart." Read more: Anti-war protestors gather after US bombs Iranian nuclear sites Tributes paid to champion wingsuit jumper Liam Byrne Ex-Labour MP George Galloway backs second independence referendum She added: "Scotland's young people are our country's greatest asset - they need genuine reform and we will not vote for anything that falls short of this. "It is not too late for the SNP to listen to the experts and overhaul this legislation so it delivers genuine change and rebuilds public trust." Conservative education spokesperson Miles Briggs also accused SNP ministers of being "in complete denial' about the changes needed to improve Scottish education. The Tory MSP said: "It is shocking that they are simply planning to rebadge the SQA which is not fit for purpose and needs to be consigned to the history books once and for all." He added: "I hope the SNP will take this opportunity and support amendments brought forward by both the Scottish Conservatives and others to make this Bill fit for purpose and give Scots the world-class education system they deserve." The committee's report, published in December, backed the replacement of SQA and the creation of an independent inspectorate. Their report added that the committee "believes the Bill will require substantial amendment to ensure that the improvements envisaged by the Scottish Government in relation to engagement, governance, organisational culture and accountability become a reality for learners, teachers and staff". The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
Spectator
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
How the SNP wrecked Scottish education
A small but not insignificant morsel of data on the state of education after 18 years of the SNP running Scotland. New figures show the gap between the poorest and wealthiest school leavers has widened to a five-year high. In the least deprived areas, just 3 per cent of school leavers fail to go to a 'positive destination', the Scottish Government's term for higher or further education, training, employment or voluntary work. Yet in the most deprived areas, areas like the former Lanarkshire industrial town from which I'm writing this, more than one in ten children leave school to what is euphemistically called 'other destinations', i.e. unemployment. Scottish Labour's education spokeswoman Pam Duncan-Glancy accuses the SNP of 'leaving Scotland's most disadvantaged pupils behind'. It's hard to disagree. Education used to be all the rage at Holyrood, the subject of speeches and pledges and reports and, most of all, photo ops. In 2015, early in her first ministership, Nicola Sturgeon – remember her? – gave a grand speech declaring that her defining priority would be closing the attainment gap between poor children and those from affluent families. These days Sturgeon tours the country chatting literature with minor celebs and touting her own forthcoming memoirs, but her legacy remains. And what a legacy it is. The attainment gap she undertook to close is widening. Children from the poorest parts of Scotland are 23 per cent less likely than those in the richest areas to leave school with at least one National 5, the Scottish equivalent of the GCSE. At Higher level (comparable to the A-Level), the gap is 38 per cent. Just 57 per cent leave school with a Higher and one in seven leave before even getting to that level. In reading, there is an 88-point performance gap between the richest and poorest children; in science, it's 92 points; in maths, 98. While the most deprived children bear the brunt of the Scottish education slump, no one escapes unharmed. Data from Pisa, an international study of school performance, shows that, almost two decades after the SNP came to power at Holyrood, test scores in science have fallen by 32 points and in maths by 35 points. Reading is the soaraway success story, with a drop of a mere six points in test performance. Children in Scottish schools are behind their English counterparts in all three disciplines. Little wonder the Institute for Fiscal Studies says 'something, somewhere is going wrong in Scottish education'. It's something, somewhere, all at once. Subject choice has narrowed under the SNP's Curriculum for Excellence. More than 40 per cent of pupils are persistently absent from Scottish high schools. A survey by teaching union NASUWT found 44 per cent of respondents north of the border suffered physical abuse or violence at the hands of their pupils last year. There were more than 40,000 violent incidents in local authority schools in 2024 and since the pandemic there has been a 76 per cent increase in offensive weapons in the classroom, with Police Scotland recording 194 cases in the past three years. Even in the most conducive education environment, learning can be very difficult for some pupils. In a culture of chaos, it can become impossible. Back in 2015, when Nicola Sturgeon gave her landmark speech on closing the educational attainment gap, she said: Let me be clear: I want to be judged on this. If you are not, as first minister, prepared to put your neck on the line on the education of our young people then what are you prepared to. It really matters. It does matter, but did it ever really matter to Sturgeon? A decade on, the balance of the evidence confirms that outcomes in Scottish education declined on her watch and that children from the poorest families shouldered the worst of it. Schools have been struggling to recover ever since Sturgeon made haste for the exit and a media career. As she offers election night punditry, tours theatres and playhouses with her novelist pals, and chips in the odd book review, it is difficult to discern where or when she put her neck on the line. Perhaps its high brass content made things difficult.
