Labour seeks to force SQA bosses to re-apply for jobs in new body

Scottish Labour will seek to force the bosses of Scotland’s exams body to re-apply for their jobs in the agency replacing it.

The Scottish Government announced following a 2021 report by the OECD and another by academic Professor Ken Muir that it would scrap the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and replace it with a new body – Qualifications Scotland – through the Education (Scotland) Bill.

But concerns have been raised that the board of the new body could be made up of bosses from the SQA.

As one of more than 350 amendments to the Bill due to be debated at Holyrood’s Education Committee beginning next week, Scottish Labour education spokeswoman Pam Duncan-Glancy will force ministers to re-appoint the board within six months of Education Scotland being officially set up.

“At a time when ambitious reform is required to restore trust in Scotland’s education system, the SNP’s plans amount to little more than a rebranding exercise,” she said.

“The SQA has been hit by one scandal after another, but it has been emboldened and defended by John Swinney and the SNP at every turn.

“Genuine reform is desperately needed and Scottish Labour will not walk away from the opportunity to improve education in Scotland, so we will work to rewrite the Bill until it is fit for purpose.

The creation of Qualifications Scotland, alongside other reforms, will bring about real change and help strengthen the national education landscape

“Scottish Labour has lodged amendments to strengthen the voices of pupils, parents and teachers, restore accountability in our education system, and ensure the SQA is well and truly abolished.”

Other amendments submitted by the party – which total 115 – include requiring Education Scotland to consult with teachers, pupils and parents before making major decisions and stripping the new body of its ability to accredit qualifications, with a new agency to be formed to do so.

The Labour MSP also hit out at the need for the Bill to be so heavily amended, pointing to previous examples in the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill and the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “The creation of Qualifications Scotland, alongside other reforms, will bring about real change and help strengthen the national education landscape.

The Education Secretary will set out the Scottish Government’s position in detail during the stage two consideration of amendments which begins next week

“The new Education Bill will ensure knowledge and experience of pupils and teachers are central to decisions taken on qualifications and assessment.

“Parliament voted to support the Bill during its first stage in December and the Education Secretary has engaged extensively with MSPs from across the Parliament to further develop the Bill since then.

“The Education Secretary will set out the Scottish Government’s position in detail during the stage two consideration of amendments which begins next week.”