Fife politicians call for inquiry into downgraded exam results fiasco

Politicians in Fife have added their voices to demands for a review after pupils found their exam results had been downgraded.

Alex Rowley MSP has written to the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and Education Secretary, John Swinney, calling on them to act.,

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) have both come under heavy criticism thousands of pupils received worse results than they had expected.

Teachers submitted assessments based on pupils’ performance across the academic year, but the country’s exam body lowered an estimated 125,000 grades - almost a quarter of the total, sparking a huge political row.

One key focus was the higher number of pupils from poorer areas who saw their marks knocked down, impacting on their hopes of university places - and that may lead to a massive number of appeals in the coming weeks.

Poignant care home letter: 'Six days, 23 hours & 30 minutes until I...

Mr Rowley MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, has contacted Fife Council to get the data for the region in a bid to get a clearer picture.

He added: “ “I know by the numbers of pupils and parents contacting me that this flawed methodology employed by the SQA has had a bad impact on many pupils in Fife.

“It is now clear that it has made judgements about schools based on historical results of those schools and this has resulted on pupils being marked downwards based not on their performance but on what school they go to. This is not acceptable.”

“The First Minister seems to think the answer is that all pupils cheated by this should appeal but surely the Scottish Government should address the failures, not pile even more pressure on teachers and pupils who have been so badly let down.

Calls for a review also came from Councillor James Calder, the Lib Dem’s education spokesman on Fife Council.

He said: “Many children will be angry that their final grades were considerably lower than what was predicted by teachers.

“There are worries that those from less fortunate backgrounds are more likely to be affected by this too, further reducing opportunities for these pupils.

“Pupils and families across Scotland are right to be angry regarding this process.

“With a risk of a second wave affecting next year we need to ensure the system is robust.

“I was pleased Fife Council today decided to support a report locally, but the Scottish Government must also take a in-depth review as soon as possible.

“We cannot risk this being repeated in the future and our pupils deserve better.”

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers - the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen and East Fife Mail.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press