Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 23 January 2019
23 Jan 2019 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Review of Personal and Social Education
I thank the cabinet secretary for early sight of his statement. We agree with him that schools are very much about the health and wellbeing of our young people, their values and social development and, indeed, progress towards inclusivity and equality in wider society. Therefore, the review is important and the acceptance of its recommendations is welcome.
However, it is now almost two years since the Education and Skills Committee report that Mr Swinney says provided the focus for that review, and it is another two years before he expects delivery. When does he expect to bring his implementation plan to Parliament, and the updated statutory guidance on relationships and sexual health to be completed? Mr Swinney also acknowledged the pressure that there is on guidance teachers, which he says will be addressed by a PSE toolkit. Does he not agree that it would be better addressed by having more teachers—specifically, more guidance teachers—and how will he try to deliver that?
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
The next item of business is a statement by John Swinney on a review of personal and social education. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end o...
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (John Swinney)
SNP
The health and wellbeing of children and young people in our schools is central to our ambition to achieve excellence and equity for all in a high-performing...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues raised.
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Yesterday, on several news channels, we heard about the disturbing circumstances that led to the death of teenager Molly Russell. In a very brave interview, ...
John Swinney
SNP
The Scottish Government has discussions with a range of interested parties about the issues around social media. It is important that we focus our work in pe...
Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the cabinet secretary for early sight of his statement. We agree with him that schools are very much about the health and wellbeing of our young peop...
John Swinney
SNP
I am signalling to Parliament the considered way in which the Government has addressed this important issue. It is important that we take the time to put in ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Can I have short questions, please?
Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
SNP
Will the cabinet secretary outline how this year’s programme for government commitment to invest in school counselling services will assist in the delivery o...
John Swinney
SNP
As Ruth Maguire will know, the Government set out in the programme for government the commitments that we are making in relation to the roll-out of counsello...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I respectfully ask for shorter answers in order to try to get everybody in.
Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con)
Con
What involvement have parents and carers had to date in development of the toolkit? What consultation and support will be given to help them to reinforce the...
John Swinney
SNP
As part of all our work, we engage widely within Scotland—that is what takes time—and we have engaged with parental representatives as part of this process. ...
Gail Ross (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP)
SNP
Following the incredible commitment and success of the time for inclusive education campaign, how will the principles of the campaign and the inclusion of LG...
John Swinney
SNP
As I announced to Parliament before Christmas, we are embarking on taking forward inclusive education. That message lies at the heart of the statement that I...
Mary Fee (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the announcement of guidance on mental health and wellbeing services to complement the previous announcement regarding counsellors in schools. Will...
John Swinney
SNP
We are working with individual local authorities to take that activity forward. I would expect the first of the mental health counsellors to be in schools du...
Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green)
Green
I thank the Government for the actions to which it has committed today. The review that led to the report was the first thing that I asked for after my elect...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
That was two questions. I liked the first one okay.
John Swinney
SNP
On Mr Greer’s substantive point, it is essential that we hear the voices of young people in all aspects of the work that we take forward in the development o...
Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
If we are to improve personal and social education across Scotland, I hope that the cabinet secretary recognises the importance of school guidance teams havi...
John Swinney
SNP
I agree entirely with that. It is interesting to look at youth workers’ achievements in reaching young people who might be difficult to reach through what we...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
SNP
Will the cabinet secretary set out how the new PSE toolkit, the announcement of which is welcome, will help to reduce the workload and bureaucracy that have ...
John Swinney
SNP
Part of the approach that I have been taking has been about encouraging more collaboration in the education system, so that elements of the good practice tha...
Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I note the Scottish Government’s commitment to work with the General Teaching Council for Scotland to update the standards for professional registration. Wil...
John Swinney
SNP
Initial teacher education must take due account of the steps that we are taking on PSE. That is one element of the process; the other element is the emphasis...
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
We know that personal and social education is an important factor in encouraging positive behaviour and healthy relationships in young people. Will the cabin...
John Swinney
SNP
The material on that topic is currently being piloted across 40 schools in Scotland. We will look at the experience of piloting those resources to make sure ...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Given the often very sensitive issues that are considered, in my experience PSE classes are run with small groups rather than full classes. What action is th...
John Swinney
SNP
A significant amount of professional judgment will have to be deployed to address the point that Johann Lamont makes about the environment and circumstances ...