SQA apologises after personal details of invigilators shared in email

Scotland’s national qualifications body has apologised after the personal details of exam invigilators were shared by email.

The SQA said a “database error” resulted in the information being sent to chief invigilators by mistake.

STV News understands individuals’ names, National Insurance numbers, postcodes and email addresses were shared but not financial or bank information.

It said those affected had been informed.

STV News has contacted the UK’s data watchdog – the Information Commissioner’s Office – for comment.

The qualifications authority has faced intense criticism in recent years and is set to be scrapped and replaced as part of an overhaul of Scotland’s education system.

A SQA spokesperson said: “Following a database error, some personal details of SQA invigilators were sent to SQA Chief Invigilators by email.

“We take our responsibilities for handling personal data very seriously and took immediate action to contain the information and to report the error to the information commissioner.

“All affected SQA invigilators were personally contacted to inform and reassure them of the steps that had been taken to protect their information and to apologise for the error.”

Pupils across Scotland are currently preparing for exams which start on Monday.

The SQA, responsible for the tests in schools around the country, and Education Scotland will be scrapped and replaced by the summer of 2024 as part of the Scottish Government’s plans.

Newly appointed education secretary Jenny Gilruth said the overhaul will not cause disruption for pupils or teachers.