The SQA plans to run a full examination food regimen in 2021 to make sure each pupil ‘has equity and a good crack on the whip subsequent 12 months’.
Education Secretary John Swinney assured the SQA contemplating approaches which can permit a ‘full 2021 examination food regimen’, after exams had been cancelled because of the pandemic this 12 months.
The SQA noticed speedy backlash after trainer predictions had been moderated in a technique which disproportionately affected pupils in disadvantaged areas.
Per week after examination outcomes had been despatched out, Mr Swinney introduced that grades could be reverted again to unique trainer predictions.
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In a Q&A with the Nationwide Father or mother Discussion board of Scotland on Thursday, Mr Swinney introduced that plans had been at the moment to carry a full examination food regimen in 2021.
He stated: “Our goal is to run a full 2021 examination food regimen.
“SQA have consulted on what steps they may take to scale back the burden of assessments earlier than the examination food regimen – what components could possibly be eliminated.
“We’ve additionally seemed on the timetable of exams. Do they should begin in late April? Might they begin on the finish of Might, giving them an additional month for studying and instructing.
“We’ve checked out these and the SQA is at the moment contemplating the response.”
Mr Swinney added that his predominant precedence was equity, saying: “I can’t foresee how a lot disruption there will likely be between now and subsequent spring, both on particular person, class or school-level.
“I’m decided to make sure each scholar has equity and a good crack on the whip subsequent 12 months, regardless of their expertise.”
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Mr Swinney additionally apologised once more for the “stress and anxiousness” attributable to the moderated grades.
He stated: “When it turned obvious there have been quite a lot of unfair outcomes, I took the choice to direct the SQA to base examination outcomes on the idea of trainer estimates, to recognise the challenges pupils confronted.
“I recognise that it induced quite a lot of stress and anxiousness on younger folks and I reiterate my apology for that.
“We didn’t wish to trigger that stress and for that I unreservedly apologise.”
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