Scotland’s Education Secretary is at the centre of a growing storm over national qualifications after newly unveiled plans for this year’s appeals process sparked accusations that pupils are being failed yet again. Shirley-Anne Somerville came under fire despite announcing that learners would be able to appeal directly, and free of charge, against results awarded through the alternative certification model (ACM). However, the planned scheme does not include a “no detriment” policy, meaning grades could be revised up or down. It follows cancellation of National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams, with results instead based on teacher judgement supported by evidence of achievement.
Covid Scotland: Pupils to return to school amid warnings of safety risk and exam confusion heraldscotland.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from heraldscotland.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Teachers and parents have warned of safety concerns as well as mounting confusion over exams this year, after it was announced all pupils across Scotland will be back in the classroom full-time following the Easter holidays. The EIS, Scotland s largest teaching union, said the removal of physical distancing between pupils, particularly older pupils, represents a heightened risk that more pupils will be infected. It added the larger numbers in classrooms also creates more risk of airborne transmission, which is why face coverings remain important, including the provision of medical grade face masks for staff. And whilst some Councils have made progress in relation to monitoring and improving ventilation, others have dragged their heels , say the union.