Created on: 04 Aug 2026
The EIS has sent its congratulations to learners, teachers and lecturers across Scotland for a strong performance in this year’s qualifications.
For exam-based qualifications, pass rates are up across National 5s, Highers and Advances Highers, this testament to the hard work of pupils and students, and school and college staff.
Today’s results also mark the achievements of learners in internally assessed courses at National 1 to 4, as well as learners in a broad range of vocational and technical qualifications.
Commenting, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “Scotland’s pupils and students have delivered an impressive performance in this year’s qualifications, and the EIS offers its congratulations to all young people and adult learners on their achievements this year, at all levels.
"This performance is testament to the hard work of learners and their teachers alike, right across Scotland. They should all be proud of their achievements, and we should all be equally proud of them for their hard work and the results that they have achieved."
Ms Bradley continued, "In addition to the strong set of results in Nationals, Highers and Advanced Highers, this year has also seen a record number of vocational and technical qualifications being achieved.
"These qualifications reflect the growing diversity of the learning offer and are evidence of a broad range of skills that young people develop during their education, and will support young people in following vocational and technical pathways into a diverse range of future careers."
Ms Bradley added, "The EIS also welcomes the reported progress in the narrowing of the poverty-related attainment gap, which continues to be a key focus across our education system.
"The persistence of the gap remains a huge concern as well as a huge challenge, and while the EIS welcomes the stated commitment of the Scottish Government to tackling this issue, the EIS wishes to see full reform of the Senior Phase and a move away from heavy reliance on exam-based qualifications, in the interests of equity - reform of the kind recommended by the recent review of qualifications led by Professor Louise Hayward."
"This, together with much greater investment in Education from Early Years onwards, including through capping class sizes at a maximum of 20 for all ages, stages and subjects, would give schools a fighting chance of significantly tackling the poverty-related achievement and attainment gap.
No young person should be disadvantaged in their education because of poverty and factors entirely outwith their control."