Today is often badged as the biggest day in Scottish education. More than 136,000 candidates who have completed SQA national qualifications, courses and awards will find out their results.
For most of us, the results day experience is something we all remember well.
With the option for results to now be delivered electronically, pupils these days rarely have to suffer waiting for the postman like I did, but we all know what it feels like to wait for the outcome of something you have worked so hard for.
That is why I am sure everyone in Scotland will join me today in congratulating our young people on their achievements throughout the past year. And I mean all of our young people, on all of their achievements, not just national qualifications.
It can be difficult to contain the emotions, whether it be excitement, trepidation, hope, relief - and unfortunately for some, disappointment. There will be the inevitable tears, happy and sad, but I hope that everyone receiving their results can take pride in not only their marks but in everything they have learned and achieved throughout the past year.
Teachers, lecturers and parents should also take pride in the role they have played in making sure students across the country were prepared for and supported throughout the course of the year and I have no doubt they will continue to be on hand to advise and encourage those who may be disappointed with what today brings.
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It is often said that learning is a lifelong journey. It is vital to remember that this is only one stop on what can be an exciting and often unpredictable route to the right career.
I have had many conversations about results and qualifications in the run up to today; this should come as no surprise, most of my conversations revolve around education. What is surprising is the subtle shift I am noticing in how the achievements of our learners are being described.
Celebrating success, in all its forms, seems to be very much at the forefront of education in Scotland right now and it is a change that we should all welcome.
Our young people are successful learners yes, but they are also confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors – the four key pillars of Curriculum for Excellence.
Success doesn’t mean the same thing for everybody, there is no one size fits all approach. Of course we want to be assured that young people are attaining the highest level of attainment they can but we also want to make sure they are receiving the best possible experience, equipping them with the right skills and knowledge for life, work or further study.
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That is how we should measure their accomplishments.
That is how we will ensure Scotland has the best education system in the world.
For our young people there is no wrong path to their career of choice and although the final destination may be the same no two routes are ever likely to be identical.
It is extremely encouraging that I regularly see schools working closely with colleges, youth work and employers to ensure that their young peoples’ learning is delivered in a way that is right for them and is relevant to their future plans. Success could mean moving straight into a job, gaining qualifications in-work, starting an apprenticeship, studying at college, gaining the qualifications to go on to university or a combination of one or more of these options.
Now more than ever the routes into employment available to young people are the most diverse they have ever been thanks to increased collaboration between industry and education and the uptake in vocational qualifications has increased substantially year on year.
Higher pass rates and university places have long been the gold standard of education and they are still the ultimate aim for most but they do not tell the full story of what success really is for our young people.
We must embrace the diversity of options available and recognise the achievements of every learner.
Today is rightly a day for celebration. Not every young person will be receiving results but I want to encourage every young person to stop and reflect on their own learner journey. How far have you come in the last year? Have you discovered a subject you are passionate about? Decided on a career that is right for you? Or even just achieved something you never thought you could?
The overall results will also be released today, providing a national picture of awards and markings at every level. There will be inevitable fluctuations which happen year on year, the passes for some subjects will go up and some will go down, that is the nature of the system and results can never be predicted with certainty.
But What I want every learner in Scotland to be certain of is that their hard work and dedication is something to take pride in, whatever destination they choose and however they decide to get there. Enjoy today and congratulations on all of your accomplishments.
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