Call for inquiry as exam pass rates rise

The number of pupils passing their Higher and Standard Grade exams went up for the fourth year in a row, prompting fresh fears they were becoming increasingly "dumbed down".

Officials at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) carry out their own assessment of standards by comparing today's exam papers with those from previous years. But Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, the Scottish Conservatives' education spokesman, said a completely independent appraisal of the exams system was needed to ensure pupils, parents and the business community can have "absolute confidence" in the value of qualifications.

The last such independent inquiry into exam standards took place in 1996, when the last Tory government was in power. Lord James said: "Invariably, when there is an increase in the pass rate for any particular exam or subject, some will question whether exams are easier, pupils are smarter or the schools are more rigorously selecting who is allowed to sit - or a combination of some or all of these factors.

"We need an independent appraisal of the exam system to ensure that standards are fully maintained and that results are a fair reflection of the abilities of students - our young people deserve no less."

But Peter Peacock, the education minister, described the Conservative demand as "a diversionary tactic". He said: "The Conservatives are totally opposed to state education and want to talk it down. The SQA is a highly professional organisation and they make sure that standards are maintained.

"There is no evidence for the Tories to say that standards are falling. Some pass rates went down this year, others stayed the same and some went up. The general position is of very gradual change, which doesn't suggest that we are giving qualifications away."

Anton Colella, the chief executive of the SQA, said he was confident that standards were being maintained: "The setting and maintaining of national standards in every course and every qualification is at the core of the work of SQA and we take this responsibility extremely seriously. This involves many thousands of experienced educational professionals in schools and colleges across Scotland, principal assessors, markers, moderators and teachers.

"We use subject specialists from outwith SQA as well as our own experts to interrogate and compare the application of national standards in every exam paper year on year. This expert work ensures that standards are maintained."

Meanwhile, Mr Peacock also insisted that there would be no rush to scrap Standard Grade exams, despite a 5.2 per cent slump in the number of pupils sitting them. At the same time, the numbers taking the less challenging Access courses and the more demanding Intermediate exams have increased.

A review of Standard Grades is due to report back in 2007 and Mr Peacock said yesterday he did not want to pre-empt its findings: "There's a debate to be had in the future of Standard Grade and I've said we'll make a decision over the next 18 months. While we are prepared to make changes, I'm not going to do anything rash or throw the baby out with the bath water."