The Education Committee, who will be the lead committee, will focus on the role of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and review the impact of the difficulties on school pupils and their future prospects.

The Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee will focus on the issue of ‘governance’ in terms of the relationship between the SQA and the responsibilities of the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning.

The Education Committee, as lead committee, this morning agreed the following Terms of Reference, calls for Evidence and Timetable for their inquiry:

Terms of Reference of Inquiry Remit:

• gather information on the remit and role of the SQA in relation to the issuing of schools qualifications certificates to inform the inquiry;
• review the impact on school pupils, and on their future prospects, of the performance of the SQA in issuing qualifications certificates this year;
• identify the causes of the difficulties encountered this year with particular regard to:
• marking and quality assurance
• administration within the SQA
• the implementation of Higher Still;
• examine the role of the Executive, and its relationship with the SQA, in this matter;
• make recommendations on how such difficulties may be avoided in future.

The committee will seek oral evidence from:

• the Scottish Qualifications Authority including David Miller (Chair) and/or Bill Morton (Chief Executive) - former officials are also likely to be called;
• schools: teachers’ and parents’ representatives and pupils are likely to be called;
• the Minister for Children and Education;
• HM Inspectorate of Schools – Chief Inspector Douglas Osler.

The committee agreed that written evidence should be submitted by 22^nd September. Oral evidence will begin on 27^th September. The committee is likely to meet during the October recess for evidence taking purposes.

Written evidence will be requested from Helen Liddell, Brian Wilson and Raymond Robertson. The need for oral evidence will be assessed after consideration of their respective submissions.

The Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee will shortly agree its inquiry remit, terms of reference and timetable taking account of today’s proposals by the Education Committee.

Both committees have appointed MSP reporters to liaise with and attend meetings of the corresponding committees.

Marilyn Livingstone will act as reporter for the Enterprise Committee and Cathy Peattie will report for Education. The committee conveners (Mary Mulligan and John Swinney) will also meet this week to co-ordinate their respective approaches.

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