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Focus on literacy and numeracy
24/04/2008
Pupils will have the opportunity to take literacy and numeracy exams under the next generation of qualifications following a review of the national qualifications system.
Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the review aimed at bringing exams into line with the Scotland's new approach to learning and teaching, Curriculum for Excellence.
She said that current arrangements continue to work well for many young people but the system needs to be updated to meet the needs of the 21st Century.
New arrangements will:
- Place a strong focus on literacy and numeracy skills
- Reduce the current complexity of the system with Standard Grades and Intermediates being replaced by a new general qualification
- Retain Highers which remain the 'gold standard' in Scotland's education system and retain Access and Advanced Higher qualifications
Full text of the statement to Parliament
Ms Hyslop said:
"The future plans will enable young people to enjoy a rich educational experience to the end of S3 with an emphasis on skills for learning, skills for work and skills for life. They will have education to support an active and healthy lifestyle, an understanding of the relationship to the environment, an appreciation of Scotland's place in the world. It is vital that the new arrangements for qualifications build on this.
"The consultation will highlight those aspects of our qualifications system that we need to change in order to deliver this.
"We will be consulting with schools, local authorities, colleges, universities, employers, parents and young people to shape the content and detail of these next generation of qualifications during this period."
It is proposed that from S1 to S3 young people will have a broad general education and there will be no need for them to take external examinations.
From S4 onwards, the curriculum and qualifications system will deliver a range of opportunities for young people of all abilities. For example, able students may be able to study for Highers from S4 and young people may be able to take qualifications over different timeframes - potentially freeing them from the 'two-term dash' to Highers.
Ms Hyslop said:
"National Qualifications have a key role to play in helping to deliver the values, purposes and principles of Curriculum for Excellence. It will be particularly important to ensure that our National Qualifications support the new curriculum and contribute to delivering the Government's skills strategy."
The public consultation on the future arrangements for National Qualifications is expected to run from June to October.
The new curriculum will be in place from 2009-2010. Young people who do not experience the new curriculum will continue with the current exams. It will be necessary to have new qualifications in place from 2012-13 onwards to accommodate those entering secondary school in August.
Full text of statement to Parliament