Exam results: Young people deserve credit for navigating tough year
Commenting on the publication of the 2021-22 exam results, Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer MSP said:
"The 2021-22 year was tough for young people across Scotland. Whatever results they've just received, they should be congratulated for navigating their way through those challenges.
"If any student has received less than what they expected, they should talk to their teacher or lecturer straight away about lodging an appeal. After much campaigning by the Greens and by young people themselves, the appeals system this year is a significant improvement on what was offered before."Appeals can now be lodged on the grounds of 'exceptional circumstances' such as covid-related absence, and the no-detriment policy we proposed has been introduced, so there is no risk of a grade being lowered on appeal. Students can also now lodge appeals directly, if for whatever reason they can't or don't wish to do so through their school.
"I'm glad that we were able to improve the appeals system and I hope it's well used by those who need it, but far more fundamental change is required. The Scottish Greens have long argued that high-stakes end-of-term exams are a poor way of judging a young person’s attainment and are a major contributor towards the attainment gap between pupils from the most and least disadvantaged backgrounds. That's why, following the fiasco in 2020, we secured a review and reform process. That look into how our Victorian-era exams system should change is now underway and young people are directly shaping it."