§ Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to review courses and examinations in the fifth and sixth years of Scottish secondary education.
§ Mr. RifkindI have received advice from the Scottish Examination Board that the current structure of examination for pupils in the fifth and sixth years of secondary education may no longer be adequate, and that a detailed study of arrangements after standard grade should be undertaken. I have considered the board's advice and have decided to establish a committee to review the position and to report to me by the end of 1991.
The remit of the committee will be:
to review the aims and purposes of courses and of assessment and certification in the fifth and sixth years of secondary school education in Scotland;to consider what structure of courses and what forms of assessment best satisfy these aims and purposes taking account of the needs of pupils of varying ability and background, the demands of employment and the requirements of and developments in higher and further education;to recommend necessary changes.I am glad to say that Professor John Howie, Regius Professor of Mathematics at the university of St. Andrews, has accepted my invitation to chair the committee. A further announcement about its membership will be made shortly.