SQA and Education Scotland to be replaced with new bodies

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The Scottish Qualifications Agency (SQA) and Education Scotland will be replaced with new organisations as part of an overhaul of the education system.

It follows a report by education expert Professor Ken Muir, who put forward several proposals for reforms.

Prof Muir’s report recommended that the SQA’s replacement be called Qualifications Scotland, though the government has not decided on a name yet.

His recommendation, which was accepted by the government, was that the new exams organisation should have a different governance structure with more input from learners and teachers.

However, the Conservatives said the changes were “depressing and hollow”.

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced in June last year that the SQA would be scrapped, also saying that Education Scotland would no longer be in charge of school inspections.

On Wednesday, she gave a statement to the Scottish Parliament which was moved forward from its originally scheduled date of Thursday.

This was due to an “administrative error” which meant details were made public earlier than the government intended, she said.

Ms Somerville said operating models for the two new organisations would be drawn up by the end of the year.

The Education Secretary said: “I can confirm that the SQA will be replaced and that the Scottish Government will legislate for the creation of a new non-departmental public body with responsibility for the development and awarding of qualifications.

“Crucially this new body will reflect the culture and values we want to see embedded throughout our education and skills system; one that puts learners at the centre, supports our teachers and practitioners and instils integrity, fairness and accountability throughout our approach to recognising achievements in education.”

Describing the other new education agency, she said: “It will be teacher-facing, visible and valued by the profession it serves.

“I want teachers to feel that this agency is their agency, responding to their needs and, therefore, to the needs of learners.”

Scottish Conservative MSP Oliver Mundell addressed the fact that elements of Prof Muir’s report were published online before the statement, dismissing the changes as a “rebranding”.

He said: “Whether you read its contents online or heard about them in this chamber, they’re just as depressing and hollow.

“The SNP have frittered away another opportunity to fix our broken education system.”

Mr Mundell called for the SQA to be wound up earlier than 2024.

In a separate statement at Holyrood, Ms Somerville also addressed widespread criticism of the revision support provided by the SQA earlier this week.

She said the SQA would be publishing more detail on the support available to pupils.

Scottish Labour MSP Michael Mara said many in the education sector had mocked the revision support.He said: “Young people have called this guidance insulting, awful, a joke and patronising.

“Teachers have said ‘I am struggling to believe what I’ve just read’.

“They’ve called it the Mariana Trench of uselessness.”

David Middleton, the chairman of the SQA, said the announcement was an “important one”, but said it was “extremely disappointing” that details of the report were leaked online before staff at the authority were able to see it.

“We are pleased that the announcement recognises the strength and coherence in our broad range of functions and that much of these will stay together in a new qualifications body,” he added.

“We are disappointed in some aspects of Professor Muir’s report, particularly the recommendation that accreditation should be removed since it already operates independently of our awarding function. We are pleased that the Scottish Government recognises that further consideration of this issue is needed.

“Our job now is to continue to deliver for learners, schools, colleges and our other customers while working with others to ensure a smooth transition to the new body.

“We also recognise that this announcement brings significant opportunities for change and for ensuring learners, teachers and lecturers are at the heart of the education system.”