Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 24 May 2023
24 May 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Ending Violence in Schools
I remind the chamber that my wife is an additional support needs teacher.
Teachers in my constituency have told me of their frustration at the Scottish Government’s failure to back its policies with funding and resource to make them real. They tell me that they are particularly frustrated with a Government that blames the situation that the member is describing on local authorities and teachers, and especially with the Government suggesting that teachers are insufficiently trained in de-escalation and making them do more continuing professional development, which they do not have time for. Does the member share my constituents’ desire that, in her response today, the minister takes ownership of those policy decisions and does not shift the blame and the responsibility for remedy on to teachers and local authorities?
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-09126, in the name of Stephen Kerr, on ending violence in Scottish schools. I invite members who wish to ...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
This debate is taking place because we need to address the unacceptable level of violence and disruption in our schools. My colleagues can attest to the fact...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I declare my interest as a former employee of East Lothian Council. Does the member agree that, although there is much to be grateful for in the Conservativ...
Stephen Kerr
Con
I agree with my Labour colleague that the issue is a matter of urgency. The summit should be inclusive. It should include young people, but let us please en...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I remind the chamber that my wife is an additional support needs teacher. Teachers in my constituency have told me of their frustration at the Scottish Gove...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We have a little time in hand, but interventions will have to be a little bit briefer. I can give you some of that time back, Mr Kerr.
Stephen Kerr
Con
Liam Kerr makes a very good point. The Jenny Gilruth of last Tuesday probably conveyed that impression when she answered a topical question from my friend Ja...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Does my colleague agree that the continued erosion of after-school clubs, youth clubs and extracurricular activities that has been perpetrated by this Govern...
Stephen Kerr
Con
We have to make the school experience the holistic educational experience that many of us enjoyed when we were at school. That heritage is the birthright of ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (Jenny Gilruth)
SNP
I thank the Conservatives for the opportunity to discuss an issue that is of vital importance to the education of our children and young people. As the motio...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
I think that I was probably one of the last people in Scotland to get the belt, as it was abolished just after I left school—I am not sure whether there was ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you the time back, cabinet secretary.
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I recognise Mr Rennie’s comments, although I will not comment on his experience in school. The issue that he outlines is reflected in some of my experience i...
Martin Whitfield
Lab
Is the cabinet secretary confident that the data is identifying that small but, I would say, significant group of pupils who are struggling to return to scho...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
In all honesty, no, I am not, and I have asked officials for further advice on that. I receive the national picture, and it is broken down by local authority...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I will take the intervention from former teaching colleague Liz Smith, but then I would like to make some progress.
Liz Smith
Con
The cabinet secretary has just replied to me in a parliamentary written answer about pupil equity funding, giving me the updated figures. She knows that a ve...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I recognise that point, and I also recognise the member’s interest in the issue. I think that she is taking forward a member’s bill on that. I very much reco...
Stephen Kerr
Con
I make a very brief intervention to say that that is exactly why we must deal with the issue of school violence. The vast majority of our children go to scho...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Cabinet secretary, I can give you the time back for the interventions.
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I agree with Mr Kerr. The Conservative motion talks about a working group. I am not against that suggestion per se, but we already have a working group in t...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I would really like to make some progress. I am now seven minutes in and have a number of other points that I would like to make—apologies. That group inclu...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you a bit of time back for the interventions.
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
Thank you. Excluding a child or young person from school—whatever the circumstances—is an extremely serious step, and it is one that no teacher would take l...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Thank you, cabinet secretary. I wish those headteachers more success than the Presiding Officer is sometimes able to achieve. 15:13
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
The transformative power of a good, world-leading education system can never be overstated. I know that first hand. My experience is not unique and it was no...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Pam Duncan-Glancy mentioned mental health and support. Does she support our suggestion—our demand—that there be a national helpline just for teachers who fac...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you the time back.