SCOTLAND’S new Education Secretary must work to address the serious issues facing the sector, opposition parties and trade unions said today.

Labour has written to Shirley-Anne Somerville, who was promoted this week, urging her to move quickly to ensure recovery for young people across the country. 

Education spokesman Michael Marra has warned that Ms Somerville must engage with teachers and unions to prevent a “summer of discontent in education.”

In a letter, Mr Marra welcomed the MSP to her new role before calling on the government to publish the Scottish Qualifications Authority’s appeals process, implement a resit guarantee and to ensure that a no-detriment policy for accessing further or higher education be put in place.

He said: “I am calling on the minister to listen to teachers, education experts, unions and Labour, and take the vital action needed now to solve another exams fiasco in our education system.

“Our young people need hope after this dreadful year. The minister must deal with the damage and distress that has already been caused by this government.

“She must also start to rebuild opportunity for young Scots’ futures.”

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) welcomed Ms Somerville to the post, thanking Mr Swinney for his engagement in his role. 

The union said that workers’ contracts must be a high priority for the cabinet. 

General secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The first issue the Cabinet Secretary will need to address is an end to the scandal of temporary contracts throughout the education system. 

“If we are to have an education-led recovery, we need more teachers on permanent contracts to cut class sizes, provide more support to pupils with additional support needs and address the impact of poverty on children’s learning.”