Responding to the OECD report on Curriculum for Excellence and to the news that the Scottish Government intends to scrap the SQA, Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has called for an urgent reform of Scotland’s education system.

Baillie has welcomed the announcement that the Scottish Qualifications Authority, the SQA, is to be scrapped and replaced.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“This report has made it clear that our education system is in urgent need of reform and resources.

“It is welcome that the SQA is to be scrapped and replaced by a new body. It has become increasingly clear that the organisation stood as a barrier to realising the full potential of Curriculum for Excellence and it has let down many pupils, both in our local community and across Scotland as a result.

“Parents, pupils and the many critics of the government’s performance on education policy over many years now see their own words and concerns validated by much of this report.

“We need an end to the narrowing of the school curriculum and a far greater focus on ensuring that pupils receive an in-depth education in all of their subjects – rote learning will not do. The SNP has failed to ensure that Curriculum for Excellence delivered the wide and practical education that pupils in our area desperately need.

“Action is needed to support teachers to deliver for pupils, including reducing the level of class contact time for teachers. We must be clear – real change is not possible without this resource.