Parents anger over prospect of Scots exams being axed next year

Parents in Scotland have warned that the prospect of exams being cancelled north of the border again next year would cause “even more damage” to a future generation of youngsters.

John Swinney is being urged to clarify the situation over exams

Education Secretary John Swinney is understood to be considering axing the National 5's exams diet amid concerns of a second wave of Coronavirus. It could also mean limited of choice of Highers.

But the move would be controversial after the debacle which surrounded the cancellation of this year's exams and the botched estimates provided to students.

Last week, Mr Swinney said he had doubts about next year’s exams programme because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, citing a “very real risk” of disruption.

Campaign group UsForThem Scotland has written to the education secretary seeking clarity on the matter.

The group, which has more than 10,000 members across Scotland, wants schooling to continue as normal throughout the pandemic, even if other parts of society as forced into lockdown again.

The letter, from UsForThem Scotland organiser Jo Bisset, states: “We cannot afford for children to have their exams disrupted again, and parents want certainty on this matter now.

“It is completely unfair to leave children, who’ve already endured so much, hanging in this way.

“UsForThem Scotland would like to see an unequivocal statement from the Scottish Government that the 2021 exams will go ahead as normal, so that pupils can start preparing now for such a crucial juncture in their life.

“Anything less than that will risk causing even more damage to the future of a generation of pupils.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director