Today may bring mixed emotions but young people should be proud

Thousands of young people receive their SQA results today – and Children and Young People’s Commissioner Nicola Killean has acknowledged that while some will be delighted, others may be disappointed. 

She has once again called for root and branch reform to the education system in Scotland, so it works for all children. The right to education is about far more than academic success. It is about developing children’s personalities, talents, and abilities to their full potential. 

National, Higher, and Advanced Higher exam results are published today. So too are Skills for Work Awards, National Progression Awards and National Certificates. 

Commissioner Nicola said: “Today may well be a day of mixed emotions for young people across Scotland. I want to remind everyone that the right to education is not about academic success. It is about developing children’s personalities, talents, and abilities to their full potential. And to reach that potential, children and young people need support to learn in the ways that best suit them.  

“Many of you will be happy today, but some of you may feel disappointed. If you didn’t get the grades you wanted, please don’t despair. You still have lots of opportunities ahead of you, and there are organisations that can help you decide your options.” 

Earlier this year, the Commissioner published her comprehensive report into the education system in Scotland, “This is our lives, it matters a lot”: Putting children’s rights at the heart of education. 

She warned the Scottish Government that too many children are failing to thrive in the current set-up and urged authorities to redesign the system. Recommendations relating to exams and assessments include ensuring the purpose of education is to prioritise the development of a child’s full potential, not be dominated by exam results.   

Children who are in fourth and fifth year had their transition years from primary to secondary badly impacted by the pandemic.  

The Commissioner added: “The pandemic impacted several years of your education – please don’t just focus on exam results but think about all the positive attributes you have that make you unique. Exam results aren’t the only way to measure success so be proud of yourself.  

“I spoke to lots of young people when we were creating my report, and exams and assessments came up time and again. Children feel under significant pressure, and they told me that exams don’t suit everyone. That pressure can impact on other rights. They feel they don’t get enough downtime, so their right to play, rest, and relaxation is affected. And the stress they are under can impact their right to health, both physical and mental.  

“Assessments, exams, and qualifications should be understood as part of the education system but they should not be the whole system. We need change, and children need to be at the heart of that change.”