The handling of school pupils’ grades last year was one the biggest scandals of the pandemic.
Grades were to be based on teacher judgment, followed by an SQA “moderation” system.
The reality was that the SQA’s model ended up disproportionately marking down pupils from poor areas.
The furore led to a massive U-turn and the flawed SQA system was ditched in favour of teacher judgment.
John Swinney, at that point education secretary, nearly lost his job over the debacle.
Parents and pupils were promised a fairer deal this year through a system of grades by assessment.
However, critics believe the replacement may be just as unfair as the farce that preceded it.
A survey of pupils in fourth, fifth and sixth year by Glasgow Youth Council has revealed some of the dissatisfaction.
There are claims of exams being leaked and teachers giving away information to pupils.
Part of the year was marked by online learning and patchy access to wifi could also widen existing inequalities.
This is no way to run an education system and it could result in young people’s life chances being blighted.
Pupils from deprived areas already have fewer opportunities to attend universities and it would be a disgrace if their chances were further limited.
There is a strong sense of a scandal brewing and the Government may be forced into another U-turn.
Perhaps the Government needs to learn the lessons from last year and take the initiative before it is forced into action.
Trauma for taxis
Taxi drivers are among the groups of workers hardest hit during the pandemic.
Covid restrictions have ensured people are taking fewer taxis and takings have fallen through the floor.
The £1500 for drivers announced earlier this year by the Government was welcomed but it was not nearly enough.
The SNP then announced a second £1500 payment in the first 100 days of Nicola Sturgeon’s Government but drivers wanted more information.
As we reveal today, drivers are crying out for extra funds immediately to help them and their families.
Their trade has been turned upside down and some cabbies have struggled to put food on the table. Their mental health has also suffered.
This week’s Government summit with the Unite trade union will offer more details of the financial support.
Ministers must give drivers the date for when the £1500 will be deposited into their bank accounts.
