Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott) Con

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-09140, in the name of Neil Bibby, on Scotland’s children. I invite members who wish to speak in the debat...

Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Like all parties in the chamber, the Scottish Labour Party continues to support curriculum for excellence. We want it to work, and that is why Scottish Labou...

The Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages (Dr Alasdair Allan) SNP

Will the member give way?

Neil Bibby Lab

I am happy to give way to the minister, who I hope will respond to the concerns of those teachers.

Dr Allan SNP

I am grateful to the member for raising these issues. As I have indicated throughout the process, the Government is keen to hear from teachers. It is importa...

Neil Bibby Lab

Teachers can complain about the situation because it is completely unacceptable. We need a review for the very reasons that the minister has just outlined. I...

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell) SNP

The member has just asserted that“so many pupils will not be studying the new highers next year”.Can he benefit the chamber by telling me how many? What prec...

Neil Bibby Lab

Forgive me, Presiding Officer, but I did not know that I had assumed the position of Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning. If I was the cabi...

Michael Russell SNP

He does not know.

Neil Bibby Lab

Mr Russell does not know, and that is concerning. Instead of leadership, we have seen complete complacency—Interruption.

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

Can we have a bit of order, please? Interruption. Order!

Neil Bibby Lab

It has fallen to local authorities such as Fife Council to give the leadership that has been lacking from the cabinet secretary’s actions. Such is its commit...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

I ask the member to move his motion as he draws to a close.

Neil Bibby Lab

It is vital that lessons are learned, so that we can prevent such a situation from happening again.The situation is unacceptable and the Government has been ...

The Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages (Dr Alasdair Allan) SNP

I am grateful for the opportunity to pause to remember why we are doing what we are doing in CFE and to reflect on the positive progress that has been made f...

Neil Bibby Lab

Pupils, parents and teachers all need to feel confident before exams take place. Will the minister help to alleviate concerns by ensuring as a matter of urge...

Dr Allan SNP

I am glad that Neil Bibby has asked that, because it was one of the interesting issues that was raised at yesterday’s meeting of the Education and Culture Co...

Neil Bibby Lab

Will the minister clarify how many specimen higher papers will be published? He will be aware that concerns have been raised about the lack of resources for ...

Dr Allan SNP

On the last question, the Government recently made an extra £1 million available to assist local authorities with textbooks, and we remain open to schools’ a...

Neil Bibby Lab

It was about the number of specimen papers that will be published.

Dr Allan SNP

In the next few days, a specimen paper will be made available for all the new higher courses.On the subject of highers, it is also worth saying—

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

You should draw to a close.

Dr Allan SNP

The Government is listening—not only to parents and schools, but to teachers. We want to do what we can to ensure that confidence is not undermined at this c...

Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

I thank the Labour Party for selecting the topic for debate at what is clearly an extremely important time for the curriculum for excellence and the new qual...

Michael Russell SNP

Will Liz Smith give way?

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith) Lab

The member is concluding, cabinet secretary. You must be very brief.

Michael Russell SNP

The SQA has made it clear that local authorities take the ultimate responsibility, but I thank Liz Smith for raising the issue in the way that she has raised...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

You must conclude now, Ms Smith.

Liz Smith Con

I very much appreciate the cabinet secretary’s comments because the issue is certainly worrying parents.I agree with Labour that, whether we are talking abou...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I am afraid that you really must finish, Ms Smith.