Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 12 December 2023
12 Dec 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Literacy and Numeracy
The member raises an important point. The design of our classrooms and, in particular, our schools are matters for local authorities. I have never taught in an open-plan classroom, but I imagine that a number of challenges come with it. I have visited a number of schools, particularly primary schools, where those designs seem to work well, but such decisions are for local authorities, and their work with teachers should inform decisions on the type of learning and teaching that is needed. That said, the member has raised some important points about how pupils interact with such settings, particularly if there is a need for quiet areas in order to deliver learning and teaching.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a statement by Jenny Gilruth on literacy and numeracy. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of her statement, so...
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (Jenny Gilruth)
SNP
I welcome the opportunity to update Parliament on a range of evidence concerning the performance of Scottish education. Today sees the publication of the ach...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for that, after which we will move o...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of her statement, and I welcome not just her acknowledgement of the poor legacy of her predecessors but her r...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I thank the member for his questions. He touched on a number of points, and I welcome the tone with which he responded to my statement. It is important that...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We must ensure that we get in as many members as possible. To that end, I will always appreciate succinct questions. I will also appreciate succinct answers,...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the cabinet secretary for the advance copy of her statement. I welcome the recognition of the gravity of the situation in schools and the need to dis...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I thank the member for the tone that she has adopted in relation to our working together on the issue. There is now a need for us to work across parties on s...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. We have had two questions and nearly seven and a half minutes have passed. Is there any possibility that we can expa...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I thank Mr Kerr for his contribution. I assure him that we have a bit of time in hand this afternoon and that I am conscious of that. I make a further plea ...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
A University of Melbourne study, “The effect of classroom environment on literacy development”, found that noise levels are significantly higher in open-plan...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
The member raises an important point. The design of our classrooms and, in particular, our schools are matters for local authorities. I have never taught in ...
Roz McCall (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
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Jenny Gilruth
SNP
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Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
SNP
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Jenny Gilruth
SNP
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Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
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Jenny Gilruth
SNP
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SNP
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SNP
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Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
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Jenny Gilruth
SNP
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The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Cabinet secretary, please resume your seat for a second. I ask members to listen to the person who has the floor. In the instant case, it is the cabinet sec...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
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John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
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Jenny Gilruth
SNP
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Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
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SNP
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Sue Webber (Lothian) (Con)
Con
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Jenny Gilruth
SNP
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