§ Mrs. McCurleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he will make in the light of the teachers' boycott of curricular development in relation to the interests of pupils who are following standard grade courses introduced in August 1984.
§ Mr. YoungerI have decided, following advice from the Scottish Examination Board and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, that ordinary grade examinations in English, mathematics and arithmetic should be available as an option in 1986 for pupils whom it is not realistic to expect to be assessed on the basis of standard540W grade. In making this decision, I have also consulted the Headteachers' Association of Scotland and representatives of the independent schools sector in Scotland. Only through making this alternative available as an emergency arrangement for those who need it can fair opportunities for national certification in 1986 in these key subjects be offered to pupils who are being affected by the teachers' boycott of the curricular development work required for standard grade and of the associated assessment procedures.
The standard grade courses and assessments in English, mathematics, science and social and vocational skills will continue. Where there will be a choice, I would expect schools to decide in the interests of their pupils which form of examination to present them for. I would, however, expect all schools where satisfactory progress has been made in developing the new courses to offer standard grade and not to offer the option of ordinary grade. The Government remain fully committed to the development and full implementation of standard grade courses, which will lead to more effective and relevant teaching for pupils of all abilities. Standard grade has been recognised by the universities for their general entrance requirements and is supported by the employers' organisations. Moreover, from 1986 awards given on the Scottish Certificate of Education will show both standard grade and ordinary grade awards on the basis of the same numerical scale one to seven.
I firmly believe that it will be in pupils' best interests to continue with standard grade wherever possible. The new teaching methods involved will leave young people, including those going on to university, with as good a grasp of the subject matter as O-grades and a much greater ability to tackle complex problems and to apply what they have learnt. The Scottish Examination Board, in consultation with the Consultative Committee on the Curriculum and the Government, is pressing ahead with the preparation of higher and post higher courses which will follow on from the appropriate standard grade courses and in doing so is taking full account of the views of the Scottish Universities Council on Entrance on the core elements which the universities require to be covered in the syllabus. Highers in their present form will however be retained for those pupils whose schools find it necessary to revert to O-grade.
I recognise that this decision will not resolve all the difficulties arising from the teachers' boycott. Schools which decide to opt for ordinary grade will have to make a rapid transition; but I believe that there is sufficient common ground between the courses to make this practicable in the time available. I am afraid, however, that no alternative can be provided for pupils studying science or social and vocational skills at standard grade because these subjects have no ordinary grade equivalent. Nor is an alternative available for pupils for whom ordinary grade courses are not suitable. I would expect schools to continue to teach these pupils at standard grade as best they can. I also call upon teachers to return to the central task of curriculum development before further damage is inflicted on their pupils.