Most markers of Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) papers think the work does not pay enough, a survey has found.
After “challenges” in recruiting and retaining exam markers, the SQA commissioned research into the issue.
Pay was identified as the “most significant concern”, with 66 per cent of markers surveyed saying the pay was too little.
‘Increase marker pay in line with inflation’
A report prepared for the SQA says that the Scottish government should “increase marker pay in line with inflation, and ensure that marker pay is increased annually”.
In recent years, the report notes, the SQA has “faced challenges in recruiting and retaining markers, including a decline in marker availability across subjects”.
Every year, the SQA recruits around 7,500 individual markers - usually teachers and lecturers - to grade the papers and other work from students.
The SQA report is based on a survey of 768 recent markers.
It finds that, while pay was “not the primary motivation for marking”, many of those who grade exam papers “felt the financial reward had diminished to the point of questioning its value”.
This feeling became more pronounced after pay rises for teachers resulted in money earned from marking being taxed at a higher level.
The report adds that, since 2013, pay increases for marking have “lagged behind inflation and teacher salary growth”, with some of the markers surveyed reporting “effective pay rates falling below minimum wage”.
Exam markers are ‘being undervalued’
This “contributed to feelings of markers being undervalued”, the report states, with “some suggestions that markers have become less invested, or apply less rigour” to the job as a result.
With the report stating that the “most frequently suggested improvement in increasing marker recruitment and retention was increasing pay”, the SQA has said it will “explore ways to better recognise and appreciate markers’ contributions within existing budget constraints”.
The research finds that 57 per cent of markers surveyed identified workload pressures as a major drawback to doing the work.
However, 96 per cent reported that the job improved their understanding of subjects, with 89 per cent saying that students benefited from their marking work.
SQA’s chief examiner Donna Stewart said: “Our markers are committed professionals who understand the vital importance of their role in maintaining standards and ensuring fairness for Scotland’s learners.
“Whilst we celebrate these positive findings, we are equally committed to addressing the challenges they have highlighted.”
The report was published before Scotland’s new exams body, Qualifications Scotland, takes the place of the SQA in December.
‘Valuable professional development’
Ms Stewart added: “Despite the challenges identified, the findings show that marking provides valuable professional development opportunities that ultimately benefit teaching practice and student outcomes across the country.
“SQA - and in turn Qualifications Scotland - recognises that addressing these challenges requires collaborative effort with education partners across the whole country.
“Our organisation is committed to working constructively with all stakeholders to ensure that Scotland’s marking system remains robust, fair and attractive to the dedicated professionals who deliver it.”
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