§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what qualifications for school leavers are recognised by his Department other than O-levels; what proportion of pupils leaving school qualify in these examinations; what are the proportions for O-level; and if he will publish the most recent statistics for school leavers with a breakdown of the qualifications they gain.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Scottish Education Department does not formally recognise specific qualifications. It is for the users of the certificates, such as32W employers or educational institutions, to determine the degree of recognition that they are prepared to give to the various qualifications held by school leavers. In Scotland, the great majority of school pupils seeking qualifications take Scottish certificate of education (SCE) ordinary, standard or higher grade examinations. Other examinations, such as the certificate of sixth year studies, general certificate of education (GCE) O-levels and A-levels, certificate of secondary education (CSE) and the SCOTVEC national certificate, are taken by some pupils.
Available information on the qualifications held by Scottish school leavers is published annually in an SED statistical bulletin, copies of which are held in the House of Commons Library. The most recent edition is No. 10/E2/1986.