Education reform
Reform of Scotland’s education system is underway. It includes:
-
a national discussion on education
-
an independent review of qualifications and assessments
-
reforming education bodies the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Education Scotland: merging the curriculum and assessment function and removing inspection from Education Scotland
-
post-school education and training
National discussion on education
We are reforming education following Professor Ken Muir’s review - 'Putting learners at the centre' - which recommended a national discussion.
The listening phase of the national discussion ran until December 2022. It was an opportunity for everyone to give their views about what the education system should look like for the next 20 years. Consultation analysis will be completed by spring 2023. From this, a vision for Scottish education will be developed setting out short, medium and long term aims.
You can contact the team leading the work at nationaldiscussiononeducation@gov.scot
Qualifications and assessment
A review of qualifications and assessment is being carried out by Professor Emeritus Louise Hayward. The aim is to ensure all senior phase learners have an enhanced and equal opportunity to demonstrate the breadth, depth and relevance of their learning.
Find out more: Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment
Education bodies
Professor Ken Muir’s review: ‘Putting learners at the centre: towards a future vision for Scottish education’ recommended the creation of three new national education bodies.
These include a qualifications body, a national agency for Scottish education, and an independent inspectorate body. These will replace the SQA and Education Scotland.
These bodies will reflect the culture and values that we want to be embedded throughout our education and skills system. This will be a multi-phase programme of reform with the bodies going live from 2024.
Throughout the reform process, both the SQA and Education Scotland will continue to deliver crucial work supporting learners, teachers and professionals.
We want to bring the widest possible range of voices and views into the conversation around their design and will be proactive in engaging with a diverse range of people who have a stake in their success.
Find out more: education reform programme.
Post-school education and training
A post-school education, research and skills ecosystem that delivers for all people is critical to the future success of Scotland.
This is vital to ensure that everyone has the right skills, knowledge, values and attitudes to achieve their potential and support the economy.
Learners, employers and staff from the colleges, universities, third sector and other institutions are all vital to help develop the purpose and principles for post-school education, research and skills.
This work will fulfil our commitment to publish a statement of strategic intent for the system following the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) recommendations in its review ‘Coherence and Sustainability: A Review of Tertiary Education and Research’.
You can contact the team leading on the development of the Purpose and Principles at Purposeandprinciples@gov.scot
Next steps
By carrying out these extensive reforms we will ensure that every person in Scotland is equipped with the education they need to reach their full potential. We will listen carefully to learners, teachers, parents, carers and practitioners and will work closely with our partners across Scotland to achieve this.