TWO MSPs have clashed over the lack of involvement of a prominent critic of Curriculum for Excellence in a major review into the policy.
Professor Lindsay Paterson, of Edinburgh University, has long opposed the policy which was under scrutiny from the Organisation for Economy Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The review, which was commissioned by ministers, resulted in the Scottish Government deciding to scrap the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and look to reform Education Scotland – including by removing the power of inspection from the body.
Appearing before the Education, Children and Young People Committee at Holyrood, Dr Beatriz Pont, who works for the OECD, said they had originally planned to speak to Paterson, but did not have time to do so.
Pont said: “Lindsay Paterson was among our shortlist, but it was not possible to fit him, so we read his publication as well.”
READ MORE: Scottish Government reveals expert panel who will head up education reforms
Pont went on to say it was important for the body to ensure that it didn’t become “overloaded”. She added: “I think we covered a good number of academic perspectives, whether we met them or read their materials initially or during the review.”
The assertion enraged Tory MSP Oliver Mundell (above), who said: “Quite frankly I find it shocking that the OECD didn’t find the time to speak to Professor Paterson. I think he’s widely regarded in Scotland, by Scottish teachers, by parents, by many across academia. The idea that, as one of the leading critics of the current curriculum, his voice would not be included and his papers would only be read, I think confirms many of the concerns I’ve got.”
SNP MSP James Dornan (below) came to the defence of the OECD review, saying: “I found the last intervention highly embarrassing for the committee. The OECD is an internationally respected organisation, Oliver seems to have this conspiracy theory that the Scottish Government have got power over all sorts of international bodies and that if they don’t do exactly as he wants, then there is some conspiracy is going on.
“It’s unacceptable for the OECD to be coming here in good faith, taking questions and then getting that type of abuse from a member.”
The committee’s convener, Stephen Kerr, himself a Tory MSP, replied: “I’m not sure we could say what occurred is abuse, but your point is made.”
Meanwhile, Romane Viannet, who also works with the OECD, said that standardised tests are not an effective way of measuring pupils progress.
READ MORE: How do Scotland's exam results compare with the rest of the UK?
Pupils undergo online tests in literacy and numeracy in primaries one, four and seven, as well as in S3 – but the practice has been controversial since its implementation in 2017.
In response to a question from Green MSP Ross Greer, Viannet said: “The argument that is made is not that (standardised testing) in particular is useless, it’s just that it is, maybe, not the most appropriate mechanism to use for curriculum for excellence or to measure curriculum for excellence’s impact on student learning.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here