Children will fail unless new exams delayed, insist teachers

TEACHERS have asked for new qualifications to be delayed amid fears children could fail the exams if schools are forced to rush them in too soon.

Scotland's biggest teaching union, the EIS, has asked education secretary Michael Russell to put back introduction of the new Nationals a year.

They are due in from 2013 but the EIS said many schools will not be ready.

Larry Flanagan, EIS education committee convener, warned youngsters could struggle to pass if schools are forced to adopt the new qualifications too soon.

He said: "The concern is that not all schools are at the same place in terms of implementing Curriculum for Excellence and preparing for the new qualifications."

Nationals are due to replace the discredited Standard grade, which pupils take in fourth year.

The Standard grade has been criticised for being too easy and providing poor preparation for Highers.

Now, the EIS has proposed extending Standard grade for another 12 months, to give schools the choice.

Mr Flanagan said: "Going ahead with the qualifications runs the risk of some schools not being adequately prepared – and that means pupils not being adequately prepared.

"Running a dual set-up for a year would allow schools to opt into the arrangement most appropriate for their pupils.

"Otherwise the consequence for pupils could be that they are ill-prepared and not achieving what they could be achieving."

The Scotsman has learned about the plea the day after Mr Russell admitted the new school curriculum could be delayed.

Curriculum for Excellence, currently expected to be implemented in all schools this August, has been criticised as vague and lacking in resources such as textbooks.

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association is among those who believe the curriculum should be delayed until money is available to fund materials.

Mr Flanagan, who represents the EIS on the curriculum management board, revealed the board is going to survey teachers on implementation of the new curriculum.

Its results are expected to inform the management board's next meeting in April, when a potential delay to the curriculum will be discussed.

Parents echoed fears about the introduction of the new qualifications. Eileen Prior, executive director of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, said: "We have concerns about how the Nationals will fit within the curriculum.

"But our overriding concern would be that everyone is fully prepared before they are implemented."

Mr Russell said he would not agree to a delay without firm evidence it was necessary.

He said: "If the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board, of which the EIS is part, that represents all aspects of our education system, advise me that delay is necessary, I will listen."