Response to recommendations on future of Education in Scotland

The Highland Council noted this week’s announcement on the changes to the Scottish qualifications and assessment system following the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Organisation (OECD) report which backs Scotland’s school curriculum in its independent review.

Last year, the Scottish Government commissioned the OECD to carry out a review of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE). OECD’s report highlighted that CfE is the right approach for Scotland and suggests that the curriculum work currently undertaken by Education Scotland might best sit with any new curriculum and assessment body which will replace the SQA.

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced that all 12 of the review’s recommendations will be accepted in full, including recommendations on curriculum, assessment and qualifications which will see the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) replaced and Education Scotland substantially reformed.

Cllr John Finlayson, Chair of the Education Committee said:  “I am sure this week’s announcement by the Education Minister comes as no surprise to anyone and it also offers a real opportunity going forward, for evaluating both the curriculum offered in Scottish schools and also the methods of assessment that we need to employ in the 21st century and beyond.

“The OECD report highlights the need for a review of the curriculum which has to be a good thing and given self-evaluation is at the heart of Scottish Education it is only appropriate that this also happens at the highest level as well as at authority and school level. The recommendations around the SQA, Education Scotland and how future school inspections need to change, will I think be widely welcomed by all education stakeholders but at the same time we must also look to build on the good things that are happening in our schools and not throw all the babies out with the bathwater.”

A copy of the report is available on OECD’s website.