The latest Pisa report shows Scotland lags behind England in reading, maths and science, with performance stagnating since the 2023 report. The international league table results have prompted concern among those responsible for Scotland's education system, but SNP ministers are talking about reform without admitting fault or presenting a plan of action.
Stagnation since 2023
Evidence from Pisa reports dating back to 2013 indicates the current system is failing schools, parents and children alike. Scottish schools have stagnated since the last report in 2023, while English pupils are pushing ahead.
In 2015, Nicola Sturgeon said she wanted her record as First Minister to be judged on education, and she appointed John Swinney as Education Secretary to drive up standards. Instead, classroom performance has slipped further, and the poverty-related attainment gap remains considerable.
Curriculum for Excellence questioned
Questions are now being asked about whether the Curriculum for Excellence has been a huge failure. Pushed by Labour and the Lib Dems in the mid-2000s, it has since been embraced and defended by the SNP.
Scots now pay more tax but do not see the benefits in better quality schools. Teachers need to be enabled to teach, instead of being burdened with modern techniques like child-centred learning which are failing.
Benefits system under fire
In a separate matter, the case of teen Connor Donnelly has brought the benefits system into disrepute. Connor is in a wheelchair, non-verbal and blind, and was getting constant demands for back-to-work interviews and evidence of his job search. His parents were at their wits' end with requests he cannot carry out.
Despite UK Government ministers stepping in, Connor has now been threatened with sanctions by the DWP if he does not comply with these impossible demands. It is time for benefits bosses to give the Donnelly family a break from this cruel treatment.
