This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Exam hotline will help build confidence: Stephen
28/03/2001
Deputy Minister for Education, Nicol Stephen, today said it was time to build on the steps being taken to develop confidence in this year's exams.
Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Ministerial Review Group which he chairs, Mr Stephen said:
"One step the Executive is announcing today is the launch of an exam hotline. This will allow teachers, parents and pupils to alert us to concerns and act as an extension of the early warning function of the Ministerial Review Group.
"It is essential that problems are spotted as soon as possible and dealt with effectively if this years exams and results are to be delivered successfully. The hotline will help to do that.
"Another step towards building confidence amongst all those involved in the exam system is ensuring that any concerns are addressed swiftly. The group has highlighted a particular concern with the recruitment of markers.
"The work being done to tackle this is an important step to build confidence in the system for students about to sit exams. SQA has already asked local authorities to help with the recruitment of markers. They have now identified the subjects for which more markers are required. These include French, English and business related subjects.
"It is important we make this information widely available so that we can encourage teachers to respond.
"It is clear there is still much work to be done/and it is vital that parents and pupils are reassured that everyone is making every effort to re-establish confidence in Scotland's exam system."
BACKGROUND
1. The idea of the hotline was raised and discussed at the MRG over the last few months. Calls to the hotline - 08452 777 111 - will be charged at local rate. The line will go live on Saturday March 31
2. The hotline will act as an information collection point with data being analysed and reported to SQA, the Scottish Executive and the MRG. Specific queries should continue to be addressed to centres or the SQA helpdesk on 0141 242 2214.
3. The setting up of the Ministerial review Group was announced last November by Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs, Jack McConnell in response to the Deloitte and Touche report into the Scottish Qualifications Association.
4.. The membership of the group is set out below:
Maureen Laing, Glenwood High School, Glenrothes.
Kay Barnett - teacher, Fraserburgh Academy;
John Gray - Principal teacher, Oldmachar Academy, Aberdeen;
Neil Meldrum - Head of Music, Harlaw Academy, Aberdeen.
George Haggerty - head teacher, St John's High School, Dundee;
Gordon Jeyes - ADES General Secretary, Director of education, Stirling Council:
Michael O'Neill - ADES, Director of education, North Lanarkshire;
Judith Sischy - Scottish Council Independent Schools, Edinburgh;
Tom Kelly - Association of Scottish Colleges, Stirling;
Margaret Reuben - Head of School of Childcare Health and Social Studies, Falkirk College of Further Education;
Eleanor Coner - parent of child at Dunbar High School;
Stephen McColl - parent nominated by SPTC, Argyll;
Jennifer Bryce - pupil, Cumnock Academy, Ayr;
Victoria McDuff - pupil, St Modan's High School, Stirling;.
There are also representatives of the SQA and Scottish Executive's education department.
News Release: SE0829/2001
28 Mar 2001