Chamber
Plenary, 14 Jan 2010
14 Jan 2010 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Literacy Commission
No, I do not want to take a point from Johann Lamont. It is possible to see a contribution being made by smaller class sizes, just as it is possible to see a contribution being made by nurture groups, for example, as driven forward by Glasgow. Let us be generous in our understanding of each other's positions.
I am conscious of the time and want to bring my speech to a conclusion. This morning, I spoke to the literacy commission about a number of specific actions in which I would like it to be involved to move the issue forward. I am happy to say now what those actions are. The management board for curriculum for excellence is of great importance in advising me and driving forward the issues. I have asked the board to meet the literacy commission to discuss its recommendations, so that we can embed them in curriculum for excellence. We will take forward that process, and I was grateful for the commission's positive response.
I suggested that the commission meet Graham Donaldson, who is undertaking a review of teacher education, so that he can embed within his review the issue of literacy as a priority. I also said that I wanted to ensure that all teachers would have the opportunity to include literacy in their CPD time, in the enhanced CPD that I communicated to schools last week; literacy should be part of the additional day that we are doing this year, as a taster rather than anything else.
I take Mr McNulty's point about the issue being wider than the curriculum for excellence. I have therefore said to the commission that I would like my officials to consider a range of other issues in the report and we will meet the literacy commission again so that we can package an action plan with it around a range of things, including the curriculum for excellence. I am taking each of those issues seriously, moving matters forward and, I hope, involving members of the literacy commission in that way.
I have already welcomed, and am happy to welcome again, the literacy commission's report. I agree that we should raise standards of literacy for all in Scotland. I await advice from the management board about curriculum for excellence and the literacy action plan, following its discussion with the commission.
I am happy to note the success of the trade unions and others in supporting adult learners. We will continue to work in partnership with the Scottish Trades Union Congress on adult literacy and numeracy.
I have noted the mention that has been made of the role of nurture groups. We have funded three pilots in nurture—in Stirling, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian—as well as a national training event to promote the nurture approach. There is no dichotomy between that and the aim of reducing class sizes. We need to ensure that we continue to learn from the positive outcomes of on-going work with local authorities and community planning partnerships.
I commend to members my small amendment on the curriculum for excellence. I understand that our amendment is acceptable to Mr McNulty. We will support the Liberal Democrat amendment, but we will not support the Conservative amendment—
I am conscious of the time and want to bring my speech to a conclusion. This morning, I spoke to the literacy commission about a number of specific actions in which I would like it to be involved to move the issue forward. I am happy to say now what those actions are. The management board for curriculum for excellence is of great importance in advising me and driving forward the issues. I have asked the board to meet the literacy commission to discuss its recommendations, so that we can embed them in curriculum for excellence. We will take forward that process, and I was grateful for the commission's positive response.
I suggested that the commission meet Graham Donaldson, who is undertaking a review of teacher education, so that he can embed within his review the issue of literacy as a priority. I also said that I wanted to ensure that all teachers would have the opportunity to include literacy in their CPD time, in the enhanced CPD that I communicated to schools last week; literacy should be part of the additional day that we are doing this year, as a taster rather than anything else.
I take Mr McNulty's point about the issue being wider than the curriculum for excellence. I have therefore said to the commission that I would like my officials to consider a range of other issues in the report and we will meet the literacy commission again so that we can package an action plan with it around a range of things, including the curriculum for excellence. I am taking each of those issues seriously, moving matters forward and, I hope, involving members of the literacy commission in that way.
I have already welcomed, and am happy to welcome again, the literacy commission's report. I agree that we should raise standards of literacy for all in Scotland. I await advice from the management board about curriculum for excellence and the literacy action plan, following its discussion with the commission.
I am happy to note the success of the trade unions and others in supporting adult learners. We will continue to work in partnership with the Scottish Trades Union Congress on adult literacy and numeracy.
I have noted the mention that has been made of the role of nurture groups. We have funded three pilots in nurture—in Stirling, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian—as well as a national training event to promote the nurture approach. There is no dichotomy between that and the aim of reducing class sizes. We need to ensure that we continue to learn from the positive outcomes of on-going work with local authorities and community planning partnerships.
I commend to members my small amendment on the curriculum for excellence. I understand that our amendment is acceptable to Mr McNulty. We will support the Liberal Democrat amendment, but we will not support the Conservative amendment—
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson):
NPA
Good morning. The first item of business is a debate on motion S3M-5512, in the name of Des McNulty, on the report of the literacy commission. Unless there a...
Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab):
Lab
I express my gratitude to the members of the literacy commission, some of whom are in the gallery, for their efforts in producing the substantial report that...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I am a little bit confused by Labour's position, given that Mr McNulty and all his Labour colleagues voted on 7 January 2009 for exactly the same wording as ...
Des McNulty:
Lab
Perhaps Mr Fraser should read carefully the literacy commission's report, which makes an overwhelming case against the approach that he and his Conservative ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell):
SNP
I welcome the debate, as it gives me another opportunity to thank publicly the members of the literacy commission—some of whom are in the gallery—restate the...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab):
Lab
There is clearly a big issue about adult illiteracy and the impact that it has on families. What expectation does the cabinet secretary have that the single ...
Michael Russell:
SNP
That positive suggestion from Johann Lamont that the single outcome agreement process—a developing process that was positively discussed yesterday at the mee...
Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab):
Lab
The term "functional literacy" is central to the matter. In West Dunbartonshire the concept of functional literacy is used as a benchmark to measure progress...
Michael Russell:
SNP
I do not want to get into what my predecessor or her predecessor or any other predecessor did. I recognise the term, but one of the things that the literacy ...
Des McNulty:
Lab
The real question is partly a matter of priorities. What is the Government's priority? Is it improving literacy or reducing class sizes? Even more important,...
Michael Russell:
SNP
I am very deliberately not talking all the time about class sizes. I have discussed the subject in a paragraph almost 11 minutes into my speech. However, I t...
Johann Lamont:
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Michael Russell:
SNP
No. Sorry, but I would like to finish this point.The means by which literacy is achieved are many and varied. I accept the literacy commission's recommendati...
Johann Lamont:
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Michael Russell:
SNP
No, I do not want to take a point from Johann Lamont. It is possible to see a contribution being made by smaller class sizes, just as it is possible to see a...
Murdo Fraser:
Con
Is that another U-turn?
Michael Russell:
SNP
Although Mr Fraser might point out that we voted for such an amendment the last time, times change.I move amendment S3M-5512.2, to insert after "literacy act...
Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
We warmly welcome this debate on a topic that the Scottish Conservatives have long believed is the most important in education. I, too, pay tribute to the wo...
Michael Russell:
SNP
Just to be absolutely clear, I neither said that nor believe it. The work that is required to be done to continue to build a curriculum for excellence is wha...
Elizabeth Smith:
Con
Cabinet secretary, I am more than happy to join in that work, but the assertion that teachers across the board have never been involved in dealing with liter...
Michael Russell:
SNP
I never said that.
Elizabeth Smith:
Con
Forgive me, but the cabinet secretary's words indicated exactly that.Let me be clear: there is absolutely no need to reinvent the wheel. Many good things hav...
Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD):
LD
Does the member recognise the value of the continuing examination of literacy that is available through the national assessment bank materials, particularly ...
Elizabeth Smith:
Con
If the member is referring to NAB materials within secondary schools, I think that there are deep concerns about that process—
Hugh O'Donnell:
LD
I referred to primary schools.
Elizabeth Smith:
Con
Regarding the primary set-up, I think that most teachers are anxious that there should be considerable improvement in the testing process to ensure that pupi...
Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD):
LD
In speaking to the amendment in the name of my colleague Margaret Smith, I add my thanks to the members of the literacy commission for their work in producin...
Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Don't worry—there is a numeracy debate next week.
Hugh O'Donnell:
LD
Thank you for that.We agree with the report's recommendation that there should be a sustained policy commitment at all levels of government to providing our ...
Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab):
Lab
My belief in the importance of literacy was developed during the many years that I spent as a teacher working with youngsters who were failing to acquire bas...