A REDUCTION in the number of subject choices in schools is having a significant impact on pupils’ prospects, MSPs have been told.
Holyrood’s Education and Skills Committee heard from a range of experts yesterday on the 2018 exam diet and the way Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is working.
It was explained that a “narrowing” of the curriculum, particularly in S4, means youngsters are missing out on studying some beneficial subjects. Future options for the pupils are also limited, with those in the most deprived areas particularly hit.
Under the former system, pupils typically studied eight subjects in S4. However, Jim Scott, an honorary professor of education at the University of Dundee, said schools are offering anything from five to eight courses to pupils in S4 under the new curriculum.
Having surveyed all 359 secondary schools, he concluded: “The latest position is that 54% of Scottish secondary schools are offering their children only six courses.
“Approximately a third, slightly less than that, are offering seven courses.
“About an 11th are offering eight courses and there are still three or four hardy souls who are offering five courses.
“The evidence demonstrates that the problem for many middle and upper ability-ranged children is that their choice is being squeezed, particularly in the five and six course schools.”
Children at the lower levels of ability appear to be worst-affected by CfE, Holyrood ministers were told.
Scott explained to the Committee: “The evidence here suggests that equity is not being achieved and in fact things appear to be getting somewhat worse.”
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