Children’s rights expert says SQA appeals system ‘not human rights compliant’

Children’s rights expert says SQA appeals system ‘not human rights compliant’

Dr Tracy Kirk

The SQA’s appeal system is not compliant with human rights, according to an expert in child law at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Dr Tracy Kirk wrote to Holyrood’s Education Committee as part of a submission for the youth-led campaign group SQA Where’s Our Say.

Dr Kirk also produced a research brief in which she sets out the breaches of children’s rights as she seems them.

She said: “The significantly wide ranging negative implications upon the development of adolescents of breaching their rights emphasises the real necessity for the SQA and Scottish Government to change their approach as a matter of urgency.

“The current approach by the Scottish government and SQA fails to recognise the rights of adolescents.”

Her report was put to Education Secretary John Swinney during a meeting of the committee yesterday.

He said: “We attach the greatest significance to these questions, I am familiar with the points that are raised by Dr Kirk and indeed I have discussed the issues in relation to the SQA appeals with the young people who articulate on this question.

“We are keen to address any issues that emerge out of those discussions as part of the work that we undertake.” 

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