Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh) NPA

The next item of business is an Education and Skills Committee debate on motion S5M-21089, in the name of Clare Adamson, on science, technology, engineering ...

Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) SNP

I thank my colleagues from the Education and Skills Committee who took part in the deliberations around our inquiry into STEM in early years education. I als...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Thank you for spotting the worried look on my face, convener. I call Maree Todd to open for the Scottish Government. 16:25

The Minister for Children and Young People (Maree Todd) SNP

I am grateful to the Education and Skills Committee for securing time for this debate, because STEM skills have never been more relevant, and embedding them ...

Tom Mason (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

Will the minister outline what steps the Government is taking in recognition of the STEM work and teaching that is being undertaken by the armed forces among...

Maree Todd SNP

The bases work with colleges—I do not really see the relevance of the question to the early years. We do not have early years army cadets just yet. However, ...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Thank you, minister. I apologise that there is little time for interventions in the debate. I know that members are keeping their remarks short. 16:34

Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I commend the work of the Education and Skills Committee, which I had the pleasure of joining today for the first time, in producing this report into STEM in...

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab) Lab

The debate, which is welcome, takes place in the context of widespread consensus on the importance of improving STEM education, and the number of young peopl...

Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green) Green

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics have been at the heart of Scotland’s historical success as a nation. Our world-leading expertise and skills ...

Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

I echo Clare Adamson’s thanks to the committee clerks and all the contributors to the inquiry. I had intended to start with a quote, but Iain Gray beat me t...

Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) SNP

I am pleased to speak in this important committee debate on STEM in early years education. It is vital that, as a nation, we promote the value of having full...

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

I begin by thanking my former colleagues on the Education and Skills Committee for the work that they undertook on STEM in early years and paying tribute to ...

Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) SNP

As we have heard, the Education and Skills Committee took extensive evidence and recognised the growing seriousness with which schools across Scotland take S...

Mary Fee (West Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I thank the Education and Skills Committee for its work on STEM education. Its inquiry and subsequent report have shown the scale of the challenge that is ah...

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) SNP

I am not a member of the Education and Skills Committee, but I take a keen interest in STEM whenever the opportunity arises. The committee and those who have...

Jamie Greene Con

I know that the subject is of great interest to the member. Why is the lack of confidence in STEM subjects still such a big issue, given that it has been one...

Willie Coffey SNP

There are social and cultural issues around that. That lack of confidence sets in at a very early age, so we need to do more to intervene at a much earlier a...

Iain Gray Lab

As one would expect, we have heard a fair bit about the challenges that the committee report identified in improving STEM education and learning in early yea...

Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

We have heard many times in the chamber and in the debate about the importance of encouraging and promoting STEM education, particularly for our youngest gen...

The Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science (Richard Lochhead) SNP

I, too, welcome the debate and congratulate the committee, its members and everyone who gave evidence on an important subject and a challenge that our countr...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I call Daniel Johnson, the deputy convener of the Education and Skills Committee, to conclude the debate. 17:28

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab

I am mindful that decision time is scheduled for half past 5, so I will attempt to sum up rapidly.

The Presiding Officer NPA

There is some flexibility in that.

Daniel Johnson Lab

I thank the clerks and my fellow committee members for the work that has gone into the report. It is a useful and instructive report, which has been reflecte...