It’s difficult to imagine how the Scottish Government has managed to get it so wrong on the exams fiasco.
Pupils who weren’t allowed to sit their National 5s and Highers due to coronavirus have ended up twice as likely to see grades their teacher thought they deserved reduced if they live in the poorest areas compared to the wealthiest.
Education Secretary John Swinney can’t claim not to have been aware of the problem.
Many voices, including that of this newspaper, warned months ago that the Scottish Qualifications Authority moderation system was flawed and unfair.
But he ploughed on regardless and as a result, thousands of young people from disadvantaged households – who have already sacrificed much in the face of Covid-19 – have been hit with an added injustice.
Many could miss out on university, college and apprenticeships, while others will be cast out into the worst job market in generations.
It is not too late to do something about this – but ministers must act quickly and decisively to put it right.
If that means giving some pupils the benefit of the doubt to make sure the brightest from less affluent backgrounds aren’t discriminated against, then so be it.
Former first minister and teacher Jack McConnell is quite right to say Swinney should consider his position if he can’t fix things fast.
