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Press and Journal
30-04-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
School league tables 2025: Here's how Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highlands and island secondary schools rank
has pipped at the post to lead the Press and Journal's take on the 2025 school league tables. The two city schools both improved their performances from last year – but made the bigger change. had led the charge for the previous three years. Elsewhere in the north and north-east, and were leading the way. Schools are ranked based on the percentage of leavers to gain five or more Higher qualifications (or equivalent). This is considered a benchmark of achievement as it's a common entry requirement for university. The best performing schools in each local authority area are: went up six points to 58%, with jumping the same amount of points to 39%. In the Highlands, 215-pupil leapt 32 points to 62%. topped the Argyll and Bute table with a score of 46% – up 5% from last year. In the islands, in Shetland came out on top, leaping 14 points to 44%. did the same in the Orkneys, with a jump from last year of 6 points to 39%. The in Harris won the battle of the Western Isles – even with drop of nine points to 41%. Each year the Scottish Government publishes attainment data for every school in Scotland. The figures our 2025 school league table is based on are the percentages of leavers to achieve five or more qualifications at SCQF level 6. As well as Highers, this can include qualifications such as a National Certificate or Modern Apprenticeship. They also compare each result to last year. Publication of school league tables is controversial, seen by many as an index of deprivation rather than a measure of individual schools' performance. An attainment gap exists between pupils who live in the most and least affluent areas. In all of our 2025 top 10 schools, fewer than a fifth pupils live in deprived areas (designated quintile one in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation). At the other end of the table, schools such as Inverness High School and Northfield Academy in Aberdeen face more deprivation. Here are the 10 lowest-scoring schools when assessed by percentage of leavers with five or more highers or equivalent qualification in 2023/24: But in today's world, is this really the best measure of success? Many would not agree, including Peterhead Academy's head teacher Gerry McCluskey. Last year, his school ranked very low in our league tables, with just 14% of leavers obtaining five or more highers. This year, that figure for Peterhead is now at 24%. In an extensive interview with the P&J last April, Mr McCluskey said the league tables are far from the whole story for his school. He told us at the time: 'The percentage of leavers at Peterhead Academy achieving a positive destination after school is 96%. 'That's the same as the likes of Bearsden Academy. Yes, they're getting more Highers, but while our young people are leaving school earlier, they're still moving on to employment, further education, higher education, graduate apprenticeships. 'What you also need to take into account is that as a community, we're almost a self-sustaining economy in Peterhead. We've got a lot of opportunities, we're the biggest town in Aberdeenshire, there's a lot of businesses, a lot of industries that are very attractive for our young people to go and work at.' You can look at last year's results in full detail here.
The Courier
30-04-2025
- General
- The Courier
School league table 2025: How Tayside, Fife & Stirling schools rank
A Fife school has made huge gains to reach the top two in The Courier's secondary schools league of 2025. Dunfermline High School was surpassed only by Dunblane High School in our ranking of 52 schools in Angus, Dundee, Fife, Perth and Kinross and Stirling. Schools are ranked on the percentage of leavers with five or more Higher qualifications (or equivalent). An impressive 60% of pupils to leave Dunfermline High in 2023/24 have five or more Highers (or equivalent) compared to 43% the year before. The best performing schools in each local authority area are: Dunblane retained the top spot in The Courier secondary schools league. It also recorded an increase in leavers with five or more Highers to 70%, compared to 62% the year before. Impressive rises were also seen at The Community School of Auchterarder, up 23 to 58%. Blairgowrie High School's percentage rose 10 to 37%. But there were significant decreases at Woodmill High School, Dunfermline, down 13 to 37%, and St John's RC Academy, Perth, down 16 to 32%. Bertha Park High School, also in Perth, is included in our table for the first time, as it had an S6 cohort for the first time in 2023/24. And 32% of its leavers gained five or more Highers. Five or more Highers is considered a benchmark of achievement as it is a common entry requirement for university. You can find out how your school performed below, in our table of Angus, Dundee, Fife, Perth and Kinross and Stirling local authority secondary schools. Each year the Scottish Government publishes attainment data for every school in Scotland. The figures our 2025 school league table is based on are the percentages of leavers to achieve five or more qualifications at SCQF level 6. As well as Highers, this can include qualifications such as a National Certificate or Modern Apprenticeship. Publication of school league tables is controversial, seen by many as an index of deprivation rather than a measure of individual schools' performance. An attainment gap exists between pupils who live in the most and least affluent areas. Indeed, in our top nine schools of 2025 fewer than one in 10 pupils live in the most deprived areas (designated quintile one in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation). At the three worst performing schools more than half of pupils are from the most deprived areas.
The South African
29-04-2025
- Business
- The South African
Nkabane commits to fast-tracking TVET NSFAS allowances
Minister of Higher Education Nobuhle Nkabane has acknowledged the recent delay in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) student allowance payments and assured students that corrective steps are underway. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) confirmed that the allowances, initially due on 25 April, were processed on 26 April due to a system glitch and reflected in student accounts by 27 April. 'We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by the delays in allowances – delayed payments are unacceptable,' the Minister stated. NSFAS is currently working with its financial services partner to resolve the glitch caused by the size of the batch files to prevent further disruption. Nkabane acknowledged that around 800 students at one institution still face transfer issues, but she assured them that funds will be paid by 30 April. 'We are committed to ensuring that our students receive the essential support efficiently and promptly,' she said. Alongside current allowance concerns, NSFAS has pledged to settle all outstanding 2024 payments owed to students and accommodation providers. A detailed communication plan on this matter is expected by 30 April. In a separate development, NSFAS has addressed a funding delay caused by qualification code mismatches for students in National Certificate (Vocational) programs. 'I am pleased to report that 80% of the results were released to examination centres on 2 April,' said Nkabane. Further evidence will be submitted to Umalusi by 5 May, with final results expected by 12 May. Furthermore, regarding funding appeals, NSFAS announced that most 2025 appeals have been processed. The Appeals and Tribunals Committee reviews outcomes to ensure they align with policy. Students are urged to check their NSFAS accounts for updates and upload any required documents promptly. 'As the Minister of Higher Education, I appreciate the patience and understanding of all affected students and stakeholders during this process,' said Nkabane. Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Higher education minister apologises for late Nsfas payments
The minister also highlighted that approximately 800 students at a "specific institution" continue to face challenges with their fund transfers. The Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, on Sunday, released a statement addressing crucial issues affecting students who rely on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas). Nkabane's address focused primarily on the delayed disbursement of Tvet allowances and provided updates on the Nsfas appeals process. Late Nsfas Tvet allowances finally reach students Nsfas has issued an apology for the delayed payment of Tvet student allowances that were originally scheduled for 25 April. According to the minister, the delay was caused by 'a system glitch related to the size of the batch files.' The payments were subsequently processed on 26 April and reflected in student accounts by 27 April. 'We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by the delays in allowances – delayed payments are unacceptable,' stated Nkabane. 'We recognise the impact of these delays as students depend entirely on their allowances for living expenses.' The minister also highlighted that approximately 800 students at a 'specific institution' continue to face challenges with their fund transfers. Nsfas has committed to resolving these outstanding issues by Wednesday. ALSO READ: Nsfas warns students to pay landlords or face eviction Outstanding 2024 payments being addressed The minister confirmed that Nsfas remains committed to settling all outstanding amounts from 2024, including payments owed to both students and accommodation providers. Nkabane added that a detailed communication outlining the plan for these outstanding payments will be released by Wednesday. 'Access to education is not just a privilege; it is a fundamental right that facilitates personal and national growth,' she emphasised in her statement. According to Nkabane, progress has been made in addressing appeals submitted for 2025, with the Nsfas Appeals and Tribunals Committee currently reviewing outcomes to ensure consistency and proper application of policies. Students are encouraged to regularly check their accounts for any additional documentation requirements related to their appeals. ALSO READ: Nsfas payment delay puts student accommodation at risk Resolution of qualification code discrepancies Nkabane shared that a breakthrough has been achieved in resolving issues related to qualification code mismatches that had prevented fund disbursement to eligible students. These discrepancies primarily affected students enrolled in two specific National Certificate (Vocational) programs. The minister reported that 80% of the results were released to examination centers on 2 April. She added that additional evidence is being gathered by the Department of Higher Education and Training, which will be submitted to Umalusi by 5 May for National Certificate (Vocational) Levels 2 to 4. 'Subject to Umalusi's approval, we anticipate the release of results on 9 May 9 and 12 May,' Nkabane stated. With these issues resolved, affected students should receive their Nsfas funding without further delay. NOW READ: Eleven classrooms destroyed after fire guts Riverlea High School
IOL News
23-04-2025
- General
- IOL News
Umalusi raises alarm over declining quality of TVET exams
Inside one of the TVET colleges in the country. Concerns have been raised by Umalusi over the quality of examinations in Tvet Colleges Umalusi has sounded the alarm on the declining quality of TVET examinations, revealing that nearly a third of the question papers used in the November 2024 exam cycle were marred by grammatical errors. The quality assurance body also reported a significant drop in the number of papers meeting acceptable standards, with only 77% passing initial moderation, a sharp decline from 87% the previous year. The report, which covers the National Certificate (Vocational) [NC(V)] and NATED Report 190/191 Engineering Studies qualifications, found that 46 question papers contained grammar and language issues. These included 'confusing and awkward phrasing,' 'incorrect use of terminology,' and instances where 'instructions to candidates were incomplete, unclear, or not in accordance with DHET specifications.' Umalusi also raised concern over misalignment between question difficulty, time allocation, and mark distribution. In some cases, candidates were unable to complete papers within the allocated time, while others finished too early due to underdeveloped content. Adding to these concerns, the report highlights widespread problems with Internal Continuous Assessment (ICASS) tasks. A total of 43% of sampled lecturer portfolios were missing one or more required components, including lesson plans, task memoranda, or learner feedback records. At King Hintsa TVET College, no assessment documentation was submitted at all. 'This level of non-compliance compromises the credibility of the assessment process,' the report notes. 'The failure to meet the minimum requirements of the ICASS guidelines reflects poor planning and oversight at institutional level.' In the practical assessment component (ISAT and PAT), resource constraints continued to cripple performance. Umalusi reported that in one case, a lecturer had to use his personal vehicle as a training tool due to the absence of proper equipment, and that some workshops operated without electricity. 'These persistent challenges raise serious questions about the readiness of some colleges to offer credible vocational training,' the report stated. Meanwhile, marking processes also showed signs of strain. The DHET submitted 20 requests for marking concessions, more than in 2023, but Umalusi rejected nine of them. The report indicated that several concession applications failed to meet basic criteria, citing concerns over the experience and qualifications of proposed markers. Private colleges were again highlighted as repeat offenders in examination irregularities. Umalusi noted unresolved cases from previous cycles, with some private sites showing 'no significant improvement.' The body has instructed the DHET to block results for implicated centres and candidates pending investigation. THE MERCURY
