Teachers schooled on curriculum

A greater emphasis will be placed on independent learning

Plans for a new curriculum in Scotland's schools took a step forward on Thursday with the launch of guidance for the teachers who will implement it.

Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for education and lifelong learning, said the reforms would help pupils cope with "the challenges of the 21st Century".

Known as the Curriculum for Excellence, the proposals will place greater emphasis on independent learning.

Critics have warned teachers will need more support if they are to succeed.

Ms Hyslop said: "The reforms are intended to raise standards by improving learning and teaching, with literacy and numeracy a key focus.

"Education will be provided suited to the needs of individual pupils in a modern world, with teachers provided with the freedom to develop quality teaching and learning approaches within their own schools."

It is vitally important that schools and teachers are given adequate support to allow them to deliver on such an ambitious programme of curricular change Ronnie Smith EIS

The curriculum aims to provide "continuous education" from ages three to 18, with an emphasis on "cross-curricular teaching".

Standard Grade exams will be phased out and replaced with a new qualification, to be announced in June.

The new guidelines provide teachers with examples of what their pupils will need to know at particular stages in their education, so they can provide information relevant to young people's lives.

Children will also be taught how to find information for themselves, check whether it is reliable, then use the information practically.

Bernard McLeary, chief executive of Learning and Teaching Scotland, which has partnered with the Scottish Government in developing the curriculum, welcomed the launch.

He said: "Scotland has always been ambitious in its education system and the new curriculum guidance will offer learners challenging, exciting and motivating experiences that will build the knowledge and skills they need in modern society."

'Important milestone'

Ronnie Smith, general secretary of the EIS teaching union, said the publication of the guidelines represented "an important milestone" in the process of implementing the curriculum.

"But it is vitally important that schools and teachers are given adequate support to allow them to deliver on such an ambitious programme of curricular change," he said.

"Teachers will require access to relevant professional development opportunities to equip them to deliver the new Curriculum for Excellence framework, and they will need the resources to support the changes in learning and teaching practice."

Mr Smith also warned budget freezes and education spending cuts in some local authority areas could damage preparation for the curriculum.

Labour education spokeswoman Rhona Brankin said getting teachers on board with the changes could be a challenge due to cuts in professional development funding.

Jim Docherty, acting general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) said its members would certainly not endorse the teaching guidelines in their current state.

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