THOUSANDS of pupils across Scotland were celebrating yesterday after receiving their exam results.
Figures show pass rates across all major qualifications are broadly in line with previous years, with a slight increase for National 5 and small decreases for National 4, Higher and Advanced Higher.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) said the results were evidence of a “very stable system”, with fluctuations in pass rates normal.
Dr Janet Brown, chief executive of the SQA, said: “One of the things we have to ensure is that standards are maintained and we can see candidates are reaching those standards and attaining as they have done in the past.
“Everything has worked as we would expect to ensure candidates achieve what they deserve and allow them to go on to the next phase of their lives.”
On a visit to Bannerman High School, Glasgow, Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney congratulated pupils and teachers.
He said: “The whole country should rightly be proud of the excellence and achievement in Scottish education demonstrated by these results.
“We expect to see small variations in pass rates year-on-year, which demonstrate the high standards, strength and integrity of our national qualifications. This is of paramount importance.
“The much greater range of qualifications and skills-based awards demonstrates the curriculum is successfully meeting the needs of young people and giving them the best chance of success in further learning, life and work.”
Stephen McCabe, spokesman for council umbrella body Cosla, also welcomed the results.
He said: “This is a culmination of years of hard work by Scotland’s young people.
“All of those who play a part in the education system, including families, teachers, schools, local authorities and communities, can rightly lay claim to making a contribution, but the real celebration belongs to our young people.”
Opposition politicians said the achievements by pupils had come despite cuts to education budgets and falling teacher numbers.
Liz Smith, education spokeswoman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: “The fundamental problems remain the same. We have too few teachers in classrooms and we have a school system that doesn’t give enough children the opportunity to really excel.”
Iain Gray, Scottish Labour’s education spokesman, added: “The reality is these results have been achieved by pupils and teachers in spite of SNP Government cuts to education budgets, teacher numbers and support staff.”
The SQA figures show the overall pass rate at Higher was 77 per cent, compared to 77.32 per cent in 2016.
There was also a slight decline for National 4 qualifications, with the pass rate dipping from 93.2 per cent to 92.8 per cent.
The Advanced Higher pass rate dropped from 81.7 per cent to 80 per cent.
However, there was an improved performance in National 5 exams, with the pass rate rising from 79.4 per cent to 79.5 per cent.
In Maths, Higher attainment rates rose to 74 per cent from 73.5 per cent while in English the attainment rate dropped from 78.8 per cent in 2016 to 77.3 per cent.
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), said the results came against a background of increasing workload for teachers.
He said: “Scotland’s teachers have again gone that extra mile to support their students’ learning, despite the enormous workload pressures faced by the profession.”
A spokeswoman for Colleges Scotland said students should not be discouraged if they failed to perform as well as they had hoped.
She said: “Some may not have received the results they were hoping for and it’s important to know there are myriad opportunities available should they look to a college route to develop their skills and progress towards employment or higher education.”
A free helpline is available on 0808 100 8000 for anyone seeking practical advice regarding their results.
Operated by Skills Development Scotland, the line will be open until August 16.
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