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| SQA head faces MSPs' questions over cancelled exams | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The head of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is facing questions from MSPs amid ongoing concerns over this year's cancelled exams. | |
| Fiona Robertson is facing scrutiny from members of Holyrood's education committee. | |
| There are likely to be questions about the emergency arrangements put in place since it was announced that exams would not go ahead. | There are likely to be questions about the emergency arrangements put in place since it was announced that exams would not go ahead. |
| Because of social distancing rules, the session will take place online. | Because of social distancing rules, the session will take place online. |
| The situation facing the SQA is unprecedented. | The situation facing the SQA is unprecedented. |
| In March, the decision was taken to cancel the exam diet for the first time ever. | In March, the decision was taken to cancel the exam diet for the first time ever. |
| Last week, full details were made available of the way the emergency arrangements will operate. | Last week, full details were made available of the way the emergency arrangements will operate. |
| The marks candidates will receive will principally be based on the judgement of teachers and there will be a free appeals system. | The marks candidates will receive will principally be based on the judgement of teachers and there will be a free appeals system. |
| Ms Robertson has previously said the system the SQA had produced had three broad principles: | Ms Robertson has previously said the system the SQA had produced had three broad principles: |
| But some fear the system could prove unduly complex and disadvantage students from schools where, in previous years, relatively few got the best grades. | But some fear the system could prove unduly complex and disadvantage students from schools where, in previous years, relatively few got the best grades. |
| Other questions may concern arrangements for future years. | Other questions may concern arrangements for future years. |
| It is still impossible to say when schools will reopen but it is expected that social distancing measures will still be in force by then. | It is still impossible to say when schools will reopen but it is expected that social distancing measures will still be in force by then. |
| This could mean some students will not be in full-time. | This could mean some students will not be in full-time. |
| The longer closures and restrictions continue, the greater the risk that less time will be available to teach entire courses. | The longer closures and restrictions continue, the greater the risk that less time will be available to teach entire courses. |
| The SSTA union has already called for next year's exams to also be cancelled. | The SSTA union has already called for next year's exams to also be cancelled. |
| Appropriate level | Appropriate level |
| However, such a decision would not be in the gift of the SQA and would need to be made by the Scottish government. | However, such a decision would not be in the gift of the SQA and would need to be made by the Scottish government. |
| The EIS union says S4 students should not normally sit exams next year - arguing they could then be presented in S5 at the appropriate level. | The EIS union says S4 students should not normally sit exams next year - arguing they could then be presented in S5 at the appropriate level. |
| This could mean, for example, that academically able students might not take a National 5 exam next year but would still sit a Higher the following year. | This could mean, for example, that academically able students might not take a National 5 exam next year but would still sit a Higher the following year. |
| Individual schools or local authorities could decide to do that. | Individual schools or local authorities could decide to do that. |