Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-07111, in the name of Stephen Kerr, on the state of the Scottish education system. I invite members who w...

Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

It is my privilege to move the motion in my name, which speaks to what I believe is the most important thing over which we have power in this Parliament—Scot...

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP) SNP

Stephen Kerr has not yet said whether a better pay increase should be offered, although that is what he is implying. I understand that teachers have been off...

Stephen Kerr Con

If I was at the negotiating table, the dispute would have been resolved months ago—Interruption.—but the cabinet secretary with responsibility to be at the n...

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (Shirley-Anne Somerville) SNP

Stephen Kerr did not answer the question. If he was at the negotiating table, what would he offer, and where would he take the money from in the education bu...

Stephen Kerr Con

I think that the cabinet secretary might have got things the wrong way round. She comes to Parliament to be held to account by the members of this Parliament...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

In February, I raised in the chamber a survey that said that nearly half of our dedicated hard-working teachers in Aberdeen were considering quitting due to ...

Stephen Kerr Con

I think that my friend already knows the answer to that: there is no evidence of anything happening. I will tell members what the current level of reported ...

Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green) Green

Will the member give way?

Stephen Kerr Con

I will not give way. I have taken a number of interventions. The SNP is leaving many newly qualified teachers without jobs. Of nearly 1,800 probationers fro...

Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Does Stephen Kerr agree that it was disappointing to see in the Scottish Government’s announcement last week that the new body will retain awarding and regul...

Stephen Kerr Con

That is further evidence that the Government and the cabinet secretary do not listen. All the advice is to the contrary of what the Government announced last...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Shirley-Anne Somerville to speak to and move amendment S6M-07111.3, for around nine minutes. 15:16

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (Shirley-Anne Somerville) SNP

Scotland’s learners, parents, carers and everyone who works in education have been through an extraordinary period over the past few years. They deserve our ...

Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab

On the PISA figures, does the cabinet secretary not recognise that there is a long-term trend of decline in literacy and numeracy in our schools?

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

I recognise that we are continuing to strive to do better in literacy and numeracy. The achievement of a curriculum for excellence level—or ACEL—statistics, ...

Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

On that point, does the cabinet secretary not recognise the contention that people have made with regard to last week’s announcement that the new exam body w...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

There is an important reason for that decision. Although I saw Ken Muir’s point and where he was coming from, we must recognise that, in effect, his recommen...

Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD) LD

Will the cabinet secretary give way?

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

If Mr Rennie will forgive me, I will make a bit of progress. With the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, I co-convened the national discussion on a v...

Stephen Kerr Con

Does the cabinet secretary accept the criticism that has been levelled at those piloting the reform bodies that this is the same crew who were in the key pos...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

I have on numerous occasions made very clear to Parliament my position on the teachers’ dispute. The last offer—the fourth offer—that was put to teachers was...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Michael Marra to speak to and move amendment S6M-07111.1. 15:26

Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Today, we are debating Scottish education with schools across Scotland closed as part of the first on-going national teaching strike in 40 years. That disrup...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

Does Michael Marra agree that the achievement of curriculum for excellence level statistics that will be published next week, and the work around the health ...

Michael Marra Lab

Obviously, I have not seen those statistics. If the cabinet secretary wanted to talk about them in any detail, she could have brought them with her to Parlia...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

I could not. They are not published yet.

Michael Marra Lab

Maybe the cabinet secretary has not seen them—let us wait and see what they say. I hope that there will be a statement on the statistics when they are produc...

Stephen Kerr Con

Hear, hear!

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

It is with the business bureau.