Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel): NPA

We are running ahead of ourselves, but we now come to the ministerial statement by Jack McConnell on the future of the Scottish Qualifications Authority and ...

The Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs (Mr Jack McConnell): Lab

On 14 August, almost all Scotland's school exams candidates received accurate certificates of their examination results.The fact that I am able to make that ...

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

I welcome the minister's statement and join him in paying tribute to all those who have been involved with the exam results this year, in particular the SQA ...

Mr McConnell: Lab

I thank Mike Russell for his thanks and congratulations, which are much appreciated. I knew that Colin MacLean and Mike Russell had been at university togeth...

The Presiding Officer: NPA

A large number of members have indicated that they want to ask questions, so I appeal for brevity.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): Con

The Conservatives, too, welcome the minister's statement—I thank him for making an advance copy available to us. We welcome the fact that the 2001 exams roun...

Mr McConnell: Lab

I welcome Murdo Fraser to the front bench and to a seat that may appeal to him. I thank him for his comments. I can think of no more able deputy for Brian Mo...

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): LD

I offer my thanks to all the SQA staff and civil servants who worked so hard to make the 2001 diet a success. As the father of two girls who were involved in...

Mr McConnell: Lab

I am very pleased that George Lyon's daughters managed to receive their certificates. I wish that I had been in that position at 9 o'clock on the Tuesday mor...

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): Lab

I welcome the minister's statement and associate myself with the congratulations that have been offered to those who were involved in the successful delivery...

Mr McConnell: Lab

I repeat my thanks to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee, under the convenership of both Karen Gillon and her predecessor Mary Mulligan, for its cont...

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP

As the convener of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, I welcome those of the minister's recommendations that are based on that committee's repor...

Mr McConnell: Lab

I will consider Alex Neil's final point when we draft the bill. Let me be clear: we intend to take additional ministerial powers in the legislation, but they...

Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): *

What further consideration has been given to the suggestion that, in cases where both the candidate and the school are dissatisfied with the outcome of an ap...

Mr McConnell: Lab

Mr Canavan is aware of my personal sympathy for the proposal that marked examination scripts should be made available. The SQA, which has the main role in co...

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): Lab

If the outcome of the consultation process is that it will be too difficult for scripts to be returned to schools, will the minister at least support the ide...

Mr McConnell: Lab

Sylvia Jackson made an excellent point. One of the lessons that must be learned from the way in which the marking process is administered and information fro...

Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con): Con

I, too, welcome the extent to which events have moved on from this time last year. However, I remain concerned about one aspect of the SQA. I echo the minist...

Mr McConnell: Lab

In addition to the report that the Executive commissioned—which, I agree, was central to directing some of the improvements that were required—the new chair,...

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): Lab

I thank the minister for his statement on the SQA and I congratulate all those who are involved in education—particularly teachers—on the delivery of the 200...

Mr McConnell: Lab

There have been significant improvements in the arrangements for colleges, even in recent weeks. Over the past 10 months, I have been conscious of the fact t...

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): LD

Will the minister give an undertaking that the remit of the proposed advisory body that he announced today will include an examination of higher still? Many ...

Mr McConnell: Lab

I have some reservations about referring to individual cases from last year, although individual cases that require attention from the SQA and those who have...

Mr Frank McAveety (Glasgow Shettleston) (Lab): Lab

I welcome the minister's statement. Will he give us further information about the impact of this year's appeals? Last year, the problem with appeals was one ...

Mr McConnell: Lab

We do not yet have figures for the standard grade appeals, which were due only recently. However, the higher appeals—including the urgent appeals—show a much...

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): Con

The minister looks relaxed and confident occupying the First Minister's seat. Perhaps he aspires to fill it on a permanent basis.I want to pursue Dennis Cana...

Mr McConnell: Lab

I am sure that the SQA will examine the range of possibilities when it examines the outcome of its consultation on that issue. It is right and proper that it...

Bristow Muldoon (Livingston) (Lab): Lab

Further to Mr McAveety's question on the appeals system, my constituents have identified problems with the urgent appeals system, which produces results that...

Mr McConnell: Lab

There are a number of issues about entrance to university. Long before I was a member of the Scottish Parliament, when I was at Stirling University, I was in...

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): LD

As part of his reforms of the SQA, does the minister plan to ensure that a truly independent person or body will exist whose task it will be to ensure that, ...