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School pupils' exam performance falls by up to 10% School pupils' exam performance falls by up to 10%
(about 2 hours later)
Opposition parties have criticised the Scottish government after an official report revealed a decline in the exam performance of school pupils.Opposition parties have criticised the Scottish government after an official report revealed a decline in the exam performance of school pupils.
The analysis was posted on the government's website at 20:00 on Thursday.The analysis was posted on the government's website at 20:00 on Thursday.
It reveals the number of students achieving passes in core Higher subjects dropped significantly in 2019, in some cases by as much as 10%. It reveals that the number of students achieving passes in core Higher subjects dropped significantly in 2019, in some cases by as much as 10%.
The Conservatives said there were "clearly major problems" in education.The Conservatives said there were "clearly major problems" in education.
Education Secretary John Swinney said the government "regularly monitors and analyses performance to inform decision-making".Education Secretary John Swinney said the government "regularly monitors and analyses performance to inform decision-making".
He denied the government was trying to "sneak out the report" and insisted it was fulfilling "commitments we had made to Parliament".
Mr Swinney told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We had a Freedom of Information request that had to be responded to.
"We felt it was appropriate (to release the exams report at the same time) because so much of that material was included in the report that I had promised we would publish."
'Snide and cynical''Snide and cynical'
The Freedom of Information request as made by a lecturer and former school teacher. He denied that the government was trying to "sneak out the report" and insisted it was fulfilling "commitments we had made to parliament".
Mr Swinney told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We had a Freedom of Information request that had to be responded to.
"We felt it was appropriate (to release the exams report at the same time) because so much of that material was included in the report that I had promised we would publish."
The Freedom of Information request was made by a lecturer and former school teacher.
The timing of its release led to ministers being accused of a "snide and cynical" attempt to avoid scrutiny of its record on education.The timing of its release led to ministers being accused of a "snide and cynical" attempt to avoid scrutiny of its record on education.
Opposition parties said the figures highlighted a "worrying decline" in pupils' exam performance.Opposition parties said the figures highlighted a "worrying decline" in pupils' exam performance.
Scottish Conservative education spokesman Jamie Greene said: "This is a snide and cynical move by an SNP government which is increasingly in crisis across all of Scotland's public services.Scottish Conservative education spokesman Jamie Greene said: "This is a snide and cynical move by an SNP government which is increasingly in crisis across all of Scotland's public services.
"There are clearly major and systematic problems within our education system that the SNP simply refuses to acknowledge or take action on."There are clearly major and systematic problems within our education system that the SNP simply refuses to acknowledge or take action on.
"John Swinney insisted there were no issues concerning the drop in pass rates, but this snuck-out report proves him wrong. "John Swinney insisted there were no issues concerning the drop in pass rates, but this snuck-out report proves him wrong."
"His continuous 'nothing to see here approach' is simply untenable. The drop in the numbers passing some key Highers begs important questions.
"The SNP is failing an entire generation of our children and our once world-leading education system is increasingly losing the faith of parents, pupils and teachers." The rate of the fall in some of the most important subjects is far greater than the headline fall in the number of Higher passes overall.
'Drivers of change' But it is important not to jump to conclusions about what may be to blame.
There are a number of possible contributory factors.
There may be questions over how well prepared some young people are for their Higher courses.
But not all of the possible explanations are necessarily worrying.
Could some schools or teachers be encouraging more borderline candidates to attempt a Higher?
It is unlikely, though, that the exams system will be reason for the drop.
The SQA adjusts pass marks and grade boundaries every year to allow for exams being a little easier or harder than anticipated.
A total of 1,515 fewer pupils passed their Higher English exam - a reduction of 5.5% on the previous year and the lowest number since 2014.A total of 1,515 fewer pupils passed their Higher English exam - a reduction of 5.5% on the previous year and the lowest number since 2014.
Passes dropped by 8.8% - or 178 students - for those sitting Advanced Higher exams in the subject.Passes dropped by 8.8% - or 178 students - for those sitting Advanced Higher exams in the subject.
Higher maths saw the pass rate fall by 2.1% - the first decline since 2014 - while Higher history pass rates plunge by 14.6% overall and by 10% in A-C grades.Higher maths saw the pass rate fall by 2.1% - the first decline since 2014 - while Higher history pass rates plunge by 14.6% overall and by 10% in A-C grades.
Advanced Higher maths saw the number of passes increase by 1.6%.Advanced Higher maths saw the number of passes increase by 1.6%.
Sciences had total passes up 1.6% at a Higher level, with subjects including chemistry, physics, biology and human biology.Sciences had total passes up 1.6% at a Higher level, with subjects including chemistry, physics, biology and human biology.
Those sitting the subjects at Advanced Higher - not including human biology - saw the number of passes fall by 14.1%, although there was a 13% reduction in those sitting the tests.Those sitting the subjects at Advanced Higher - not including human biology - saw the number of passes fall by 14.1%, although there was a 13% reduction in those sitting the tests.
Speaking after the publication of the report, Education Secretary John Swinney said: "The Scottish government regularly monitors and analyses performance to inform decision-making. 'Drivers of change'
"Taken together, this analysis demonstrates good progress in a number of areas and that it is challenging to identify significant drivers of change or to draw firm conclusions about some subjects due to small numbers of entries. Speaking after the publication of the report, Mr Swinney said the Scottish government regularly monitored and analysed performance to inform decision-making.
"The analysis has however identified areas that justify further exploration and highlight actions that have been agreed. "Taken together, this analysis demonstrates good progress in a number of areas and that it is challenging to identify significant drivers of change or to draw firm conclusions about some subjects due to small numbers of entries," he said.
"My key areas of focus are to ensure that curriculum and assessment are aligned, how to better support professional learning and development, and maintaining a clear focus on enhancing learning and teaching. "The analysis has, however, identified areas that justify further exploration and highlight actions that have been agreed.
"I will continue to do that in my regular discussions with partners on performance." "My key areas of focus are to ensure that curriculum and assessment are aligned, how to better support professional learning and development, and maintaining a clear focus on enhancing learning and teaching."
Education inquiry
In January this year, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon agreed to a wider inquiry into Scottish education after opposition MSPs united to demand one.In January this year, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon agreed to a wider inquiry into Scottish education after opposition MSPs united to demand one.
A study of the senior phase of schooling had already been ordered, but Holyrood voted to say this should be a "full review" of broader education.A study of the senior phase of schooling had already been ordered, but Holyrood voted to say this should be a "full review" of broader education.
SNP members opposed the move in the vote, but Ms Sturgeon said she would "abide by the decision of parliament".SNP members opposed the move in the vote, but Ms Sturgeon said she would "abide by the decision of parliament".
The motion passed also said there were "key weaknesses in some key aspects of Scotland's school education" system.The motion passed also said there were "key weaknesses in some key aspects of Scotland's school education" system.