New national exams debate

Today, MSPs will debate whether the implementation of the new national exams should be delayed by a year to allow teachers and schools extra time to prepare. The parties are currently divided, with Hugh Henry MSP, Scottish Labour’s spokesperson, calling on the government to delay implementation by a year. A survey carried out by EIS has found that fewer than ten per cent of teachers are prepared for the implementation of the new national qualifications and 80 per cent described the level of support from the Scottish Government as unsatisfactory. EIS are also calling for a delay in implementation or for schools to at least be given the option of delaying by a year. Cabinet Secretary, Michael Russell MSP has said that there will be an audit of schools in the coming months to ensure they are ready for the new exams.