Mairi McAllan: 'Pisa score doesn't reflect Scottish education's success in artistic expression'
Can Scotland’s pupils do well with artistic expression? One of the boons of such a benchmark is it’s impossible to measure
The UK is an almost perfect controlled experiment in how different education systems function and what outcomes they produce.
In 2010, Scotland chose to deviate from a knowledge-based curriculum and move to Curriculum for Excellence, a mix of a skills-based and enquiry-based model.
The Scottish Government was far from alone in making the move - knowledge-based learning had become seen as outdated and insufficient for teaching modern learners how to move into the world of work.
READ MORE: PISA figures have a clear message for Scottish education: copy England – Professor Lindsay Paterson
There are now calls for the SNP to look to England - where the education system was shaped in part by the Conservatives and then-education secretary Michael Gove.
English PISA results show improvements in science while mathematics and reading bucked the international trend of decline.
Mairi McAllan, however, was digging her heels in on Tuesday when she appeared in front of the education committee at Holyrood.
In comments that were roundly mocked on social media, the education secretary said that PISA is “particularly looking at reading, mathematics, and science, which are very, very important in our system”.
Scotland’s curriculum, she said, “also looks at artistic expression, problem solving, moral education, and I wouldn't have one without the other, frankly”.
“So I just want to draw on the evidence that we have to make sure that our education system is capable of both providing academic excellence, as certain bodies will encourage us to do, but also produces well-rounded individuals who are ready and capable to be resilient in this world,” she said.
“So please, [academic success] is just one factor.”
Cue a great many jokes about paying the mortgage with artistic expression.
The opposition parties have been handed a gift with the PISA results.
Scottish Conservative education spokesperson Meghan Gallacher speaks for many when she said the SNP had “taken a wrecking ball” to Scotland’s education system.
“Before they got their hands on it,” she said, “Our education system was renowned across the world.
“Now two decades of SNP government has resulted in its destruction.
“The SNP are shamefully failing a generation of young Scots.
“Their abject and repeated failure is deeply damaging for young people’s prospects and economic growth in Scotland.”
Being pressured to look to England’s success might be the worst possible counsel for an SNP government.
Still, they might do well to listen.
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