Potential reforms to SQA and Education Scotland: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for any documents held by the Scottish Government or its agencies regarding the potential/planned reforms to SQA and Education Scotland. This would include proposal or briefing documents to ministers but could also include material considering the effectiveness of either organisation, for example. 

Response

I attach a copy of some of the information you requested.

An exemption(s) under section(s) 29(1)a and 38(1)b of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.

• s29(1) a - relates to the formulation/development of Scottish Government policy and is therefore withheld allow for free and frank discussion.
• s.30(1) b - relates to the free and frank provision of advice and is therefore withheld as above.
• s.38 (1)b - relates to Third Party data and therefore is withheld as contains the personal data of a third party.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because this information is within the scope of your request.

However, this is outweighed by the public interest in: ensuring the full, free and frank consideration and/or development of options and priorities for Scottish Ministers, who will subsequently determine which of these should be translated into political action and/or legislation and when; and in protecting personal data, such as personal contact details and the names of junior officials, which are not necessary to fulfil your legitimate interest

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI - 202100209354 - Information released 1

File type

30 page PDF

File size

2.8 MB

FOI - 202100209354 - Information released 2

File type

25 page PDF

File size

1.3 MB