Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government welcomes the new partnership agreement reached between the College and the Trade Union Congress to safeguard the delivery of trade union education at the City of Glasgow College.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29250 on 19 September 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

The Scottish Government values trade unions in providing a strong and effective voice for Scotland’s workers, and believes a progressive approach to industrial relations is at the heart of a fairer, more successful society. Ensuring trade union representatives have the skills to effectively represent members is key to maintaining the vital role of trade unions.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29252 on 19 September 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29252 on 19 September 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Statistics on the number of teachers in a Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS) post at the time of the annual teacher census in September are available in Table 1.6a of the teacher census supplementary statistics:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/teacher-census-supplementary-statistics/

Statistics on the number of teachers in a permanent post in the year following their probation are available in Figure 16 of Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland:

https://www.gov.scot/collections/school-education-statistics/#summarystatisticsforschoolsinscotland

Statistics on the 2023-24 TIS probationer cohort will be published in December 2024.

The Gaelic medium education (GME) sector has distinct development needs in qualifications, teacher support and continuity in secondary education. At all stages, officials in the Gaelic and Scots team have aimed to keep the GME sector aware of developments and encouraged their response to consultations. Most recently, I met with CLAS (Professional Association for Gaelic Secondary School Teachers) on Thursday 12 September.

The replacement of the SQA and changes to our qualifications and assessment approaches have been informed by extensive stakeholder engagement including stakeholders from Gaelic communities. This engagement took place during the Muir Review, the National Discussion on Scottish Education, the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment and consultations on the Scottish Languages and Education (Scotland) Bills.

I welcome the recent pay deal agreed between college employers and EIS-FELA, which brings an end to strike action across the college sector.

I am aware that local agreements are in place, as part of the pay offer, to repay any deductions of pay to staff once outstanding results have been processed.

I welcome this move and hope this now brings this long running period of industrial action to a close.

Operational delivery of National Qualifications is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) as the awarding body for Scotland. As a Non-Departmental Public Body, SQA operates at arm’s length to ministers and is responsible for its own operational decisions, including appeals processes.

The approach to National Qualification appeals in 2024 is the same as last year and is the same approach that, discounting the pandemic years, has been in place since 2014 in Scotland. It is comparable with other appeals services in the rest of the UK and internationally – but with free and direct access for learners.

SQA’s decision to revert to an enhanced version of the established appeals approach in 2023 was informed by an extensive evaluation of the 2022 approach, and engagement with the National Qualifications Group, of which Scottish Government was part, as well as a wide range of stakeholders - including teachers, parents and young people. Decisions in 2024 were, similarly, informed by evaluation of the 2023 awarding arrangements.

Drawing on the views of stakeholders, the SQA (and Qualifications Scotland once formed) will continue to evaluate the awarding processes to inform decisions going forward.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29439 on 17 September 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility, which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers