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Coronavirus in Scotland: SQA head defends emergency plan for exams Coronavirus in Scotland: SQA head defends emergency plan for exams
(32 minutes later)
The head of the Scottish Qualifications Authority has defended the emergency arrangements for students who should have been sitting exams this year.The head of the Scottish Qualifications Authority has defended the emergency arrangements for students who should have been sitting exams this year.
SQA chief executive Fiona Robertson's been facing scrutiny from MSPs on Holyrood's education committee.SQA chief executive Fiona Robertson's been facing scrutiny from MSPs on Holyrood's education committee.
She denied that the previous record of a school should put some candidates at an advantage or a disadvantage.She denied that the previous record of a school should put some candidates at an advantage or a disadvantage.
And she said there was no presumption that the estimated grades provided by teachers would be changed.And she said there was no presumption that the estimated grades provided by teachers would be changed.
However, she insisted safeguards were needed to ensure the integrity of the system.However, she insisted safeguards were needed to ensure the integrity of the system.
Ms Robertson also stressed that grades would be based on "an overall judgement on all activity throughout the year" rather than prelim results or single projects.Ms Robertson also stressed that grades would be based on "an overall judgement on all activity throughout the year" rather than prelim results or single projects.
This year's exams were cancelled for the first time in history after the country's schools were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.This year's exams were cancelled for the first time in history after the country's schools were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The exams had been due to begin this week for 138,000 students in Scotland.The exams had been due to begin this week for 138,000 students in Scotland.
Because of social distancing rules, the education committee session is taking place online.Because of social distancing rules, the education committee session is taking place online.
Ms Robertson told MSPs that results would be based on estimated grades that relied on the professional judgement of teachers and lecturers.Ms Robertson told MSPs that results would be based on estimated grades that relied on the professional judgement of teachers and lecturers.
She said that after the 29 May deadline for results, they would be moderated to ensure that "an A in one school is the same as an A in another and so on".She said that after the 29 May deadline for results, they would be moderated to ensure that "an A in one school is the same as an A in another and so on".
Results are due to be issued on 4 August, after which a free appeals service will be available.Results are due to be issued on 4 August, after which a free appeals service will be available.
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.In March, the decision was taken to cancel the exam diet for the first time.
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.
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.
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.
Appropriate levelAppropriate level
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.
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.