Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 27 October 2010
27 Oct 2010 · S3 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Literacy Action Plan
That is an interesting question. I know that Kenny Gibson is tempting me to be partisan, but I do not want to be and I will not be.
It seems to me that, from 1999 to 2003, the Parliament decided that there was a problem with Scottish education in general. Those who remember the national debate on education, in which Wendy Alexander was deeply involved, and the Education, Culture and Sport Committee’s inquiry into the purposes of education will know that broadly similar conclusions were reached in that debate and by the committee. It was concluded that there was over-examination and over-inspection in Scottish education, that it was too shallow and that not enough connections were being made. Therefore, it was agreed that Scottish education needed to change. That change started in 2004-05 with the introduction of the curriculum for excellence, and the change is working its way through. However, education is like the proverbial tanker—it takes a while to turn round—so I do not think that we will see the effect of the change in improving education in Scotland for some time. That is not to say that standards of education in Scotland are low, but they could be higher. I think that the curriculum for excellence will make the difference.
All successful education systems throughout the world have two characteristics in common. One is that they rely on the highest quality of teaching and the second is that they have a consistency of policy and a consensus about policy that is not short term. If we stick with curriculum for excellence and do not succumb to the temptation of being partisan about it, and if we can get it operating well, which we are trying to do, we will achieve long-term benefits. I appeal to the Parliament to accept that advice.
It seems to me that, from 1999 to 2003, the Parliament decided that there was a problem with Scottish education in general. Those who remember the national debate on education, in which Wendy Alexander was deeply involved, and the Education, Culture and Sport Committee’s inquiry into the purposes of education will know that broadly similar conclusions were reached in that debate and by the committee. It was concluded that there was over-examination and over-inspection in Scottish education, that it was too shallow and that not enough connections were being made. Therefore, it was agreed that Scottish education needed to change. That change started in 2004-05 with the introduction of the curriculum for excellence, and the change is working its way through. However, education is like the proverbial tanker—it takes a while to turn round—so I do not think that we will see the effect of the change in improving education in Scotland for some time. That is not to say that standards of education in Scotland are low, but they could be higher. I think that the curriculum for excellence will make the difference.
All successful education systems throughout the world have two characteristics in common. One is that they rely on the highest quality of teaching and the second is that they have a consistency of policy and a consensus about policy that is not short term. If we stick with curriculum for excellence and do not succumb to the temptation of being partisan about it, and if we can get it operating well, which we are trying to do, we will achieve long-term benefits. I appeal to the Parliament to accept that advice.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman)
Lab
The next item of business is a statement by Mike Russell on the literacy action plan. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of his statement, ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell)
SNP
The development of literacy skills is vital to people of all ages in Scotland. We recognise without question that a strong, successful country requires stron...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
She is behind you.
Michael Russell
SNP
I am sorry that Rhona Brankin is not in her usual place, but I am glad that she is in the chamber, as I would like to commend her and others in the Labour Pa...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues raised in his statement. I will allow 20 minutes for that.
Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of his statement. Given that the literacy commission reported in January, I would have welcomed the statement...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I call Elizabeth Smith, to be followed—Interruption. Sorry. I call the cabinet secretary.
Michael Russell
SNP
I thought that I should reply, Presiding Officer, although I accept that the question was scarcely worthy of it.I regret the tone that Mr McNulty has taken, ...
Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I thank the cabinet secretary for prior sight of both his statement and the literacy action plan. I welcome the majority of the contents, particularly the co...
Michael Russell
SNP
I thank Elizabeth Smith for those important questions, which serve to highlight where the issue is going.With regard to specific plans for teaching training,...
Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD)
LD
I welcome the literacy action plan and the establishment of a standing literacy commission to oversee its delivery. I support, in particular, the cabinet sec...
Michael Russell
SNP
The standing commission will play a strong role in sharing good practice and I look forward to its work. In its new incarnation within the newly merged organ...
Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the cabinet secretary confirm that this is Scotland’s first literacy action plan? Does he agree that it shows that the Scottish National Party takes act...
Michael Russell
SNP
I tend to agree with the member, but I am trying to be generous. I hope that, as the questioning continues, Mr McNulty will be seen to be an aberration in th...
Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, welcome the action plan and the establishment of the standing commission.The cabinet secretary will know that the most recent evidence from the 2009 ...
Michael Russell
SNP
Wendy Alexander raises an important issue. We know that there are unacceptable dips in performance at various stages of the educational journey. One of the m...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
I warmly welcome the cabinet secretary’s statement.The literacy commission has highlighted the decline in Scottish performance in international tests of lite...
Michael Russell
SNP
That is an interesting question. I know that Kenny Gibson is tempting me to be partisan, but I do not want to be and I will not be.It seems to me that, from ...
Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, welcome the Government’s literacy action plan. There is little in it with which I disagree. I also welcome the establishment of a standing literacy c...
Michael Russell
SNP
The member raises two important issues. On pre-school screening, there are arguments for screening early, but also arguments against. One of the arguments ag...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I want to get in all members who have a question, so I ask for succinct questions and answers.
Hugh O’Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD)
LD
In his statement, the cabinet secretary referred to CPD, which is an important element of the overall plan. What consideration have he and the other partners...
Michael Russell
SNP
I said to Elizabeth Smith that I have spoken to Graham Donaldson about precisely that matter, but I just confirm that I have spoken to him about the confiden...
Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP)
SNP
One key step in addressing literacy in secondary schools has been the introduction of the Scottish Government’s new foundational national literacy qualificat...
Michael Russell
SNP
I decided early on in my tenure that the existing plan needed to be refined. We have tried to make sure that it fits in with the examination system in the fo...