The SNP has slammed the Tories for “rank hypocrisy” over this year’s exam results – after the UK government was forced into U-turning on their decision by qualifications watchdog Ofqual.
In Scotland, Education Secretary John Swinney (pictured) instructed the SQA to award pupils their predicted grades after admitting the moderation mechanism in place was the wrong thing to do.
Today, it was confirmed that Ofqual would now award predicted grades to pupils in England after the UK government failed to take ownership of the issue.
Despite calling for resignations in Holyrood, the Scottish Tories have been completely silent in calling for their UK bosses to be sacked.
Commenting, SNP MSP George Adam said:
“Labour and the Tories are guilty of rank hypocrisy on this issue, and voters will see them as the opportunists that they are.
“But by playing petty political games with our young people’s future, Labour and the Tories have been left utterly humiliated by the decisions of their party leadership in England and Wales.
“Cancelling this year’s exam diet was a first in over 130 years and Scotland’s Education Secretary showed real leadership to rectify the issues faced by many pupils.
“The silence from Douglas Ross and Richard Leonard meanwhile is deafening.”
SNP Education spokesperson Carol Monaghan MP said:
“Gavin Williamson’s comments over the weekend not only did a disservice to the action taken by John Swinney over the exam results this year, but they were a slap in the face to teachers and pupils across Scotland who have worked incredibly hard in the middle of a global health pandemic.
“The UK government have completely failed to take ownership of the significant problem that was in front of them.
“It looks like Ofqual has taken this decision with the UK government forced to follow behind.
“Meanwhile in Scotland, John Swinney took decisive action to fix this issue for our young people.
“The decision for the UK government to follow Scotland’s lead in addressing the wrongs of this year’s exam results is welcome.
“It’s now for the Secretary of State to reflect on his ill-advised comments and to work with devolved governments rather than briefing against them.”
