Opposition MSPs call for 'immediate halt' to P1 tests if vote goes through

Opposition MSPs say Education Secretary John Swinney must call an “immediate halt'' to assessments of P1 pupils if Holyrood votes against the controversial tests.

While Mr Swinney was demonstrating the tests to both politicians and the media in bid to ensure an “accurate and informed debate'', rival parties told the Education Secretary he must “listen and learn'' to the result of Wednesday's vote.

With all four opposition parties in the Parliament united against national standardised assessments for P1 pupils, MSPs are expected to vote to bring a halt to them.

Such a vote, however, would not be binding on the Scottish Government - with Mr Swinney continuing to stress the “merits of standardised assessments and the benefits they can bring''.

The SNP has insisted the Tories - who will lead the debate against P1 testing on Wednesday - were “exploiting these issues for political gain''.

Meanwhile Mr Swinney argued the tests are “a valuable tool for teachers to identify the next steps in a child's learning'', adding the “additional information they provide is particularly useful in the early years if we are to continue to close the attainment gap''.

The Education Secretary continued: “They are designed to be delivered as part of everyday learning and teaching, they are not high stakes and there is no pass or fail.''

But with some teachers claiming the tests have left youngsters aged four and five in tears, the Tories have submitted a motion highlighting these levels of concern and calling on ministers to “halt the tests in P1''.

“Parents and teachers are all raising concerns about the way these are being introduced. And the truth is it would be irresponsible not to listen to them.''

Tory education spokeswoman Liz Smith said standardised tests could have a “key role'' in improving standards in Scotland's schools - but not in P1.

She said: “We will continue to support the introduction of tests in P4, P7 and S3 and will back the Scottish Government in its efforts to do so.

“But the SNP needs to rethink its plans for those tests to be introduced in p1 and call an immediate halt.

“Parents and teachers are all raising concerns about the way these are being introduced. And the truth is it would be irresponsible not to listen to them.''

The Conservative added: “This debate is a chance for the Scottish Parliament to have its say on this matter and it is time the SNP's bluster on this important issue stops.''

Labour meanwhile said the tests were “completely discredited'' as it branded the Mr Swinney's demonstration of them as a “desperate stunt''.

Education spokesman Iain Gray hit out, saying: “The idea that civil servants performing the tests to MSPs is in any way equivalent to the pressure felt by a four-year-old sitting them is utter nonsense.

“The Scottish Parliament has the opportunity to vote to scrap these tests for primary 1 children. If the SNP government were to ignore such a vote it would simply underline how out of touch ministers are on education.''

Liberal Democrat education spokesman Tavish Scott was also clear that “when Parliament votes with teachers and parents to halt national tests for five-year-olds, the government must accept that view''.

But SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald, a member of the Parliament's Education Committee, said the Tories used to back testing for P1 youngsters, and had included the policy in their 2016 Holyrood election manifesto.

He added: “Ruth Davidson's Tories are guilty of grandstanding, preying on the anxieties of parents and blatant political opportunism. And they're prepared to do so at the expense of kids' education - it's an utter disgrace.

“The Tories are seeking to create monster out of a serious challenge we should all unite behind - driving up standards in our schools. To do that, we need data from P1 to ensure we're making progress.

“And the Tories used to share that ambition. They even put it in their last Holyrood manifesto.''

Mr MacDonald continued: “Tory-run councils already used assessments in primary one, before they were standardised across the country. Why only now are they railing against them?

“Ruth Davidson is seeking to rewrite history, just to land a blow on the SNP. It's completely shameless.

“Nobody should be standing in the way of driving up standards in schools just for the sake of some headline-grabbing political kick-about.

“The Tories should think long and hard over what they seek to achieve in bringing forward this debate. It smacks of a party - and a leader - who will never be fit to govern in Scotland."