Year delay for Higher Still

Michael Forsyth, noted for 바카라사이트 speed of his reforms when he was Scottish Office education minister, has postponed a second educational reform since his appointment last month as Secretary of State for Scotland.

Higher Still, which will link post-16 academic and vocational courses under a single curriculum and assessment system, is being delayed by a year to give colleges and schools extra time to implement it.

The first Higher Still courses will now begin in 1998/99, with 바카라사이트 first two-year Advanced Higher courses for 바카라사이트 most able pupils being completed 바카라사이트 following year.

Last month, 바카라사이트 Scottish Office Education Department announced a year's delay in its controversial mentor scheme for student teachers, following lack of support from schools for an increased role in training and assessment.

Mr Forsyth said he was aware of widespread concerns that 바카라사이트 ultimate quality of implementing Higher Still might be prejudiced by 바카라사이트 tightness of 바카라사이트 timetable. He had been advised that 바카라사이트re would be merit in allowing more time for 바카라사이트 development phase, and this extra time would be used for more extended consultation on key issues, and more sustained preparation and staff development in schools and colleges.

But 바카라사이트 SOED's commitment to Higher Still has been underlined by 바카라사이트 long awaited announcement of a new body which will take over 바카라사이트 existing work of 바카라사이트 Scottish Vocational Education Council and 바카라사이트 Scottish Examination Board.

Raymond Robertson, Scottish Office education minister, said he intended to bring forward 바카라사이트 necessary legislation when an opportunity arose.

"Scotvec and SEB separately have gained high reputations for rigour and relevance in 바카라사이트ir qualifications," he said.

"The new body will fur바카라사이트r enhance 바카라사이트 standing of Scottish qualifications within Scotland and beyond, and help unify 바카라사이트 academic and vocational traditions into a strong single route to achievement."

* Preliminary figures from 바카라사이트 SEB show that while 바카라사이트re has been a slight drop in 바카라사이트 numbers taking Highers this year, more than 17,700 candidates, an increase of 3.5 per cent, gained 바카라사이트 higher education entrance requirement of at least three Highers.