Scotland

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24367655.sqa-replaced-qualifications-scotland-2025/

The new bill proposes establishing the office of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland, which would take over the regulatory and inspection powers from Education Scotland.

The Chief Inspector would be named by royal appointment and “not subject to the direction or control of any member of the Scottish Government.”

That sounds like a step in the wrong direction...

When asked how the two bodies will differ, a Scottish Government spokesperson said that teachers and students will be able to hold Qualifications Scotland more accountable than they could the SQA, through the establishment of dedicated committees for students and teachers.

“[The bill] ensures the Board of Management has an increased number of members with relevant teaching experience.

“It also provides a duty for Qualifications Scotland to co-create two specific “charters” to set out what learners and teachers should expect from Qualifications Scotland to ensure its processes are fair and transparent and that the organisation can be held to account by those it serves.

“Importantly, the Bill creates an enhanced governance model for the separation of the awarding and accreditation functions, ensuring decisions on these are taken independently of one another.”

That sounds like a step in the right direction...