Russell seeks top marks with ten-point plan

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Problem solving is a core element in education, and so it was that Mike Russell set out a 10-point plan to resolve the issues surrounding Curriculum for Excellence.

The education minister says the plan – including an additional £3m for a system to maintain national standards – will ensure every school is ready to implement the new curriculum in the autumn term.

Unions had previously expressed concerns that their members will not be ready to introduce the curriculum in August and called for a year-long delay in secondary schools.

Russell rejected any notion of postponing the start date as "unreasonable".

Instead he believes the plan will alleviate any outstanding issues.

The plan includes inviting headteachers to tell local authorities and the Scottish Government what help they need, whether it be additional materials or drawing on the experience of teachers from neighbouring schools who have already fully prepared for the new curriculum.

Literacy and numeracy units will be built into English and Maths courses at SCQF levels 3 to 5 to simplify the system and 'Excellence Groups' will be formed – bringing subject teachers and experts together to support the curriculum.

Parents are also to experience a greater role in managing the new curriculum with the National Parent Forum Scotland invited to nominate a member to sit on the management board.

Russell said: "I have been listening to the concerns that have been expressed recently around the new curriculum. I have also taken into account the advice of the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board on the additional support which is required. I have acknowledged those concerns and that advice and today I am acting to address them.

"I want to make sure we harness and drive forward this momentum to deliver the best possible education for our young people. That's why I am announcing a comprehensive action plan to build confidence, provide support and make sure every school in Scotland is ready to deliver the new curriculum in August."

The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland welcomed the focus on literacy and numeracy in the new plan.

Elsewhere, teachers' union the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), said the additional support was a step in the right direction but warned that teachers' views on the timetable for implementation must be taken in to account.

EIS General Secretary Ronnie Smith said, "The EIS welcomes the commitment to providing additional resources and support to enable all schools to implement Curriculum for Excellence. Schools still need new resource materials and teachers require access to high quality professional development to support Curriculum for Excellence, so it is encouraging that the Cabinet Secretary has acknowledged these needs and is taking some steps to address them."

Smith added, "The announcement of an additional £3m for quality assurance and moderation of assessment is also a step in the right direction, although it is a modest sum when spread across 32 local authorities – each of which retains the freedom under the concordat to spend this money in any way they see fit, and not necessarily on the purpose intended by the Cabinet Secretary in his announcement today."