John Swinney has dismissed concerns about 120 schools teaching pupils three or four different qualifications in a single class as a “moanfest”.
The Education Secretary suggested schools were choosing to use so-called multi-level teaching because they were empowered by a flexible curriculum.
The Scottish Conservatives called the comments insulting and offensive, and accused the Deputy First Minister of ignoring problems due to staff shortages.
It followed the Tories revealing that, of 238 secondary schools covered by freedom of information requests to Scotland’s councils, 112 had classes teaching three qualifications at once.
Another 11 had classes where pupils were being taught four qualifications.
The issue was raised at First Minister’s Questions, where Mr Swinney was deputising while Nicola Sturgeon attended the D-Day commemorations.
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson challenged him over a statement he gave to Holyrood’s education committee in March, when he was being quizzed by MSPs on multi-level teaching.
He said then: “I have never heard anybody argue that, educationally, there is something wrong with it.”
Ms Davidson asked him how that squared with numerous warnings, including the EIS union saying an “explosion” in combined classes put teachers under increasing pressure, and teachers telling MSPs it was a disgrace that disadvantaged pupils.
Mr Swinney said: “I certainly stand by my remarks that multi-level teaching is able to be delivered effectively in our schools by teachers who are trained to deliver professionalism of that quality and that standard.
“I recognise that there is a debate to be had, but I also want to make sure that we do not lose sight of the phenomenal achievements of young people in our education system.”
Ms Davidson then disclosed her party’s freedom of information trawl, saying that at Inverclyde Academy in Greenock maths “is being taught at National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher” all in the same class.
Mr Swinney replied: “I believe fundamentally in empowering the schools of Scotland to decide exactly how the curriculum should be delivered. That is what I believe in.
“That is what this Parliament supported when it supported curriculum for excellence.”
Mr Davidson said she was sure schools would be “delighted to hear that they have been empowered by the Education Secretary into staff shortages and subject choice restrictions”.
She said ministers ought to face up to the challenges in schools instead of denying they exist and accused the Government of putting the defence of its failed record ahead of education.
Mr Swinney said had spent the previous day at the Scottish education awards seeing people’s achievements.
“I spent my day listening to all those fabulous examples while Ruth Davidson was cooking up her moanfest to bring to Parliament,” he said.
“What matters is what is being achieved by the young people of Scotland: attainment is rising, they are gaining more highers and the number of positive destinations is improving year on year. That is what Scottish education is determined to deliver, that is what it is delivering and that is what I am happy to celebrate.
“I am not going to take any moanfest from Ruth Davidson on the subject.”
Ms Davidson said later: “Thousands of pupils are being thrown together in combined classes, because the school doesn’t have the resources to teach qualifications separately.
“It’s unfair on the children who have to compete for the teacher’s attention, and unfair on teachers who have to conduct up to four different lessons all at the same time. To have John Swinney dismiss legitimate concerns over combined classes as a ‘moanfest’ is both insulting and offensive.
“And to claim he was better informed than members of the teaching profession who have spoken out, because he attended an award ceremony, is both desperate and laughable.
“I fear Mr Swinney will come to regret such statements which will only infuriate teachers and parents who are having to endure the failures of this government.”
Also at FMQs, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard urged the SNP government to “at long last think about its moral responsibility” by using its full powers to tackle poverty. Mr Swinney saidthe moral question was whether Holyrood was dictated to by a Tory Government that Mr Leonard was “quite happy to keep in office”.
He accused the Labour leader of “walking on the other side” by doing nothing to bring more powers to the Scottish Parliament which could help avoid Tory austerity.
Green MSP Patrick Harvie said if the SNP was serious about a climate emergency it should halt £6 billion of works dualling the A9 and A96 and spend the money dualling and electrifying the “antiquated embarrassment” of the single-track Highland rail line.
He said it was time for ministers to deliver a promised “modern, affordable and efficient rail network which is fit for the 21st century.”
Mr Swinney said the “alarming safety records” on both roads had to be addressed.
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