Education Committee, 28 Jun 2006

Meeting date: Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Official Report 90KB pdf

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Pupil Motivation Inquiry

Item 2 is the pupil motivation inquiry. A response from the Executive has been circulated, which members should feel free to comment on. If members have no comments to make, we will simply note it.

The details of the response simply explain what the Executive is doing, but its tone is obviously very positive. It might be worth pondering during the recess what else we can do, given that the committee and the Executive clearly agree on the importance of pupil motivation and progressing matters.

Are we likely to have a debate on the matter in the chamber?

That is unlikely because there is a great deal of pressure on the remaining slots for committee debates. We have made a bid for time to debate the early years report and it is unlikely that we will get a second slot. Perhaps we can touch on the matter in our annual update meeting with the ministers, in which we can ask them to comment on progress. I note for the record that the committee has received written comments from Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, which have been circulated. As members have no other comments to make, we will note the response.

Before we go into private session, I thank members of the committee and the clerking team in particular for all the assistance that they have given me in my first year as convener of the committee. They have made it easier for me to cope with such a big subject. The year has been very enjoyable.

That concludes the public part of our final meeting before the summer recess.

Meeting continued in private until 10:34.