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Tories call for more primary school tests



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Published Date: 05 January 2009
THE Tories yesterday called for more rigorous testing in primary schools amid concern over literacy and numeracy levels in Scotland.
Conservative schools spokeswoman Liz Smith said testing at primary level could detect such problems early. She believes Scottish Government plans to introduce stand-alone literacy and numeracy tests in S4 will not fully tackle the problem.



The full article contains 63 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

 
1

Roy,

05/01/2009 04:26:08
What a bright idea to win the Tories the votes of primary school teachers.
2

T,,

05/01/2009 09:08:43
There has been a history of testing connected to the 5-14 Curriculum that didn't stop problems with attainment, most teachers will say discipline issues and being buried under new initiatives have more impact on teaching and therefore attainment. The English testing system in in disarray just now so I don't think the Tories have thought this angle through!
3

A True Scot.,

05/01/2009 13:49:37
I would love to see any Tory politician appear on "Are you smarter than a 10 year old".
Just to give us an example of the level of education they expect from our primary school pupils having to live under tory conservative two tier dogma.
4

Mr. Lachie Todd,

Edinburgh 05/01/2009 15:19:04
The last time the Scots Tories were in power at the old Scottish Office they continually interfered in State Education resulting in Scots Civic Society forming a powerful coalition which saw off many of their more eccentric ideas!

In 1997, when the Scots Tories were ejected from power
they left Scottish State Education in a mess of their own making!

Closer to home, perhaps they should send observers to England and study the English example which is a dogs breakfast!
5

The Former Mr. Angry,

Perth 05/01/2009 16:23:13
Maybe the testing should be directed at the teachers. But if there is no discipline or it is at best fragile and teachers are having to cope with all sorts of bright new ideas from failed backroom boys and girls to implement with (naturally) several trees gone for the reporting, it's hardly surprising that pupils are not attaining much.

If 25% of pupils leave primary school unable to reach basic standards of reading and arithmetic something is far wrong and means a return to teaching basic skills in these areas for longer and with more rigour. Teachers are willing to do their jobs usually but tend to be held back by well-meaning social engineers and PC lack of discipline.
6

A True Scot.,

05/01/2009 17:48:16
Our education system is going the same way as our NHS and other public bodies it is becomming 2 tier. A war between private and public sector resources. A private sector education system will provide an excellent education to those able to afford it whereas a public sector education will allow everybody a chance to reach a level of education they are able to acheive thats the difference. After 30 years of dismantalling the public sector in favour of the private sector we are seeing the chickens comming home to roost. Not only in our education system but in all of our public institutions laid bare in favour of privatisation.
When the Tories talk about education they refer to private education they would prefer a majority of ignorant illiterate workers available as a basic work force rather than allow a semblence of higher education being available to all that is conservative dogma and policy.
Embrase a socialist attitude or remain with this self serving institutionalised 2 tier dogma and note the continued decline in the fabric of UK society as we turn back the clock 2 to 3 hundred years while the rest of the world moves on.
7

Alan B,

06/01/2009 23:35:59
The problem for the tories is their intellectual confusion. One minute they are advocating leaving teachers to get on with teaching and next they are advocating state intervention.


 

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