Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 07 December 2022
07 Dec 2022 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scottish Education System
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, which are coming out next week, will show how we have dealt with the challenge of Covid and how we are moving to recover from it. We need to do more in that area, particularly because of the Covid pandemic, but I hope that we will see improvement. In any case, we will need to wait for the statistics to come out next week to see whether that is indeed the case.
We know that we can—and must—do better, which is why I have embarked on a wide-ranging and ambitious programme of reform. Even though we start from strong foundations, I know that there is no room for complacency if Scottish education is to improve and adapt to meet the challenges ahead. The world around us has changed beyond recognition over the past few years, and our learners and the people who support them deserve a system that is flexible enough to suit their needs.
In the same item of business
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.