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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsEducationEducation policyScotlandCurriculum for ExcellencePISA rankingsRegions: Scotland•••Started 4mos agoActive 2mos ago

Should Scotland scrap the "Curriculum for Excellence" in favor of a traditional knowledge-based education system?

The Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) was introduced in 2010 to modernize Scottish education by moving away from rote learning toward a skills-based approach designed to create "confident individuals" and "effective contributors." While initially supported by all parties, it has faced intense scrutiny following Scotland's decline in the PISA international league tables for maths and science. Proponents argue it prepares children for the modern workforce by teaching them how to learn rather than just what to learn. Opponents argue it is vague, academically weak, and has unintentionally limited the number of subjects students can study, disproportionately hurting pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Answer Overview

Response rates from 97 UK voters.

56%
Yes
44%
No
42%
Yes
38%
No
8%
Yes, the vague framework restricts subject choices and widens the attainment gap
6%
No, the curriculum correctly prioritizes problem-solving skills over rote memorization
5%
Yes, the current system has caused Scotland's international rankings to plummet

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 97 UK voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 97 UK voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @BD9CWL4answered…2mos2MO

No, neither option is appropriate for 2026. C for E and “traditional” learning are both aimed at taking exams, nit in learning how to learn or develop critical thinking skills.

 @BD2822L answered…2mos2MO

The system is a half measure and fundamentally doesn't work because it doesn't do enough. It must be replaced with an even less traditional system.

 @BCXD498answered…2mos2MO

School system needs to fully change

 @BCTRKM8answered…2mos2MO

Updates should be made to the curriculum every 3-5 years to keep up with modern society

 @BCRH9QSanswered…2mos2MO

No, the "Curriculum for Excellence" needs to be replaced with a skills-based education model.

 @979XN3F from New York  answered…3mos3MO

No, but the traditional curriculum should remain optional in all state schools

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Active 2mos ago

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...…6yrs6Y

Should critical race theory be taught in K-12 education?

No

▲  19.8k6 replies4 agree1 disagree

About This Data

Based on 97 responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

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Cite This Poll

iSideWith. (2026). “Should Scotland scrap the "Curriculum for Excellence" in favor of a traditional knowledge-based education system?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 25, 2026, from https://uk.isidewith.com/polls/5548652875

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