Scottish Labour has demanded action on aspects of next years exam diet after National 5 testing was cancelled.
Education Secretary John Swinney announced on Wednesday these exams will not go ahead in 2021, while Higher and Advanced Highers will be pushed back until May 13 to allow pupils to catch up on time missed due to the pandemic.
The decision was made based on recommendations from Professor Mark Priestley of Stirling University, who was asked to conduct a rapid review of next years exam diet.
However, Labour education spokesman Iain Gray has written to the Education Secretary to raise issues with the changes.
He highlights five points, including a request that coursework will have primacy, ensuring a review of the appeals process involves the Childrens Commissioner, and improving transparency within the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
Mr Gray also urges clarity on what will replace exams, as well as on when Higher and Advanced Higher exams will take place. Mr Swinney has said they will be delayed until May 13, with regular check points up until February to assess if they also need to be cancelled.
Mr Gray said: The Priestley report unveiled a litany of failures on behalf of the Education Secretary and the SQA.
We cannot risk a repeat of the catastrophic SQA results fiasco next year.
The Scottish Government must provide clarity urgently over how the upcoming National 5 and Higher qualifications will be awarded, ensure that course work has primacy, involve the Childrens Commissioner in the process to avoid a repeat of the infringement of pupils rights, and overhaul the culture of intransigence in the SQA.
We simply cannot afford to gamble with the future of our young people or allow the scandal of this summer to be repeated. It is time for John Swinney to take action over these concerns and get Scotlands education system back on track.
In August, the Scottish Government was criticised after exam results grades were based on a computer model, and 124,564 pupils were downgraded.
Ministers later changed their mind and original estimates of teachers were allowed to stand for those who were downgraded.
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: In an already disrupted school year, the alternative approach to certification for National 5 candidates year will free up teachers and school leaders capacity to provide effective support to learners and to capture their achievements.
The Deputy First Minister set out in his statement to Parliament that the alternative approach for National 5s will be based on teacher judgment, supported by assessment resources.
The statement also set out that the SQA will provide further guidance by subject, and will work up contingency plans for Higher and Advanced Higher exams.
The Scottish Government has made clear in its response to the findings of the Priestley review that we are serious about learning the lessons from awarding in 2020, and will take action on the recommendations of the report with an important role for stakeholders, including the Children and Young Peoples Commissioner.
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Education Secretary urged to clarify plans for exam diet after National 5s axed - Aberdeen Evening Express
