The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is under pressure to save geology Higher after an almost fourfold rise in the number of pupils sitting the exam this year.
Geology Higher is due to be scrapped in two years but academics and scientists are urging a rethink, citing not just Scotland’s key role in developing the science in the 18th century but also the potential for more industrial and economic opportunities in the future, including gas and oil.
Only 17 pupils took the subject in 2012 but this year the total was 64. Although small, this comes against a backdrop of extremely limited investment in the subject – no new teachers have been trained since 1985, according to Mike Robinson, chief executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.
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