The Scottish Conservatives are demanding that the SNP take ministerial control of the beleaguered SQA.
Appearing at today’s Education Committee, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Shirley-Anne Somerville admitted that there had been ‘substandard practice’ in the SQA.
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reported that the SQA has failed to give due regard to reduce discrimination and promote equality in their policies.
The SQA has been dogged with a controversy of failures over the last two years, presiding over botched exam results, issues with algorithms and being declared not fit for purpose by the OECD report.
When challenged by Scottish Conservative Shadow Education Secretary Oliver Mundell, the cabinet secretary adamantly refused to step in and take control of the situation, claiming she had ‘full confidence in the SQA.’
Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education Oliver Mundell MSP said: “The SNP are trying to down-play that the SQA is not fit for purpose and a liability to Scotland’s education system.
“Shirley-Anne Sommerville is in denial by refusing to step in and take direct ministerial control of a public body that is spiralling out of control.
“Instead the cabinet minister gives her full confidence to the SQA. Teaching staff and pupils who have been let down will not share that confidence.
“Equality implications are not an added extra. They are a legal requirement and describing this breach as ‘substandard practice’ is a massive understatement.
“This situation is untenable and urgent action needs to be taken to prevent more students and pupils feeling the rough edge of an inadequate SQA.
“The Scottish Conservatives demand the SNP take responsibility for this catalogue of catastrophes by assuming ministerial control of the SQA.”
Notes
Please see below partial transcripts of Shirley-Anne Somerville at the from Education Committee 06/10/21
Ross Greer: What conversations have you had with the SQA since you became aware of the EHRC enforcement actions and what action are you taking to ensure that the public sector of quality duty is being met by the agencies that are accountable to you?
Shirley-Anne Somerville: Clearly, there has been a sub-standard practice in years gone by. That has been recognised and those historic policies are now being looked at and actioned.
Oliver Mundell: Over the past two years there has been chaos, the OECD has identified that the organisation is not fit for purpose. We now know that there have been discriminatory policies. You and the First Minister have given Parliament your reassurance that the SQA had your full backing – do you regret that?
Shirley-Anne Somerville: The OECD has not said that the SQA is not fit for purpose. I think we need to be very, very careful about putting words into the mouths of the OECD. I don’t think that is a position that is comfortable for anyone within parliament. What the OECD have pointed to is that we have to look at a different type of organisation in place through curriculum and assessment that is exactly the recommendation I have looked at and that I have acted on. In the meantime while the work carries on through the Ken Muir Report into what will replace the SQA and any reform for Education Scotland, both Education Scotland and the SQA have a very important role to do, I think it is exceptionally important that the SQA carries on that work to ensure we have credible and fair exams and assessments system next year. I have full confidence that they will continue to do that, and I have full confidence in the SQA.