Local MSP for Dumbarton, Vale of Leven and Helensburgh has welcomed the U-turn by the Education Secretary John Swinney MSP to address the concerns of pupils as a result of the SQA results scandal.  Thousands of students across our local community saw their results downgraded based solely on an algorithm which took no account of their academic achievement or their teachers professional judgement.

Yesterday in the Scottish Parliament, Education Secretary John Swinney announced that all grades that were issued by the SQA would be withdrawn. He confirmed that he has directed the SQA using powers under the Education Act 1996, to re issue awards to affected students based solely on their teachers’ judgement.

The Education Secretary has confirmed that an independent review will be led by Professor Mark Priestly of Stirling University to look at events following the cancellation of the examination diet and the alternative certification model being put in place by the SQA.

Local MSP Jackie Baillie has welcomed the news of a review to get answers for students and teachers who were so badly treated by the Education Secretary and the SQA. However, she believes that the remit of the review is too narrow and fails to consider the actions of the Scottish Government.

Commenting Jackie Baillie MSP for Dumbarton, Vale of Leven and Helensburgh said:

“I welcome this U-turn by the Education Secretary, it is completely unacceptable that the SQA used an algorithm that simply ignored individual students hard work and the professional judgement of their teachers. This is a victory for fairness, for common sense and above all for those young people who refused to take this injustice lying down.

“I pay tribute to those students who took to social media and organised an effective campaign and petition against their results being downgraded. They should have never had to do this, both the SQA and the Education Secretary were warned of the problems about the SQA moderation system time and time again, but they failed to listen.

“I believe it is essential that we understand what went wrong,  but the Scottish Government must be transparent and admit their responsibility in this scandal.

“Students and teachers deserve to know how this scandal was allowed to happen, including what action the Scottish Government took to question the system deployed. The Education Secretary must therefore publish all relevant papers and minutes to enable proper scrutiny.

“However it remains clear the John Swinney has completely lost control of the SQA and has presided over a scandal that has hurt many young people. He has simply lost the confidence of pupils, teachers and parents, which is why he must do the right thing and resign.  This is a time when Scotland’s students need to know their politicians are putting their needs and future above everything else.”