SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Education and Lifelong Learning
Schools (Deprived Areas)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to improve performance in schools located in areas of deprivation. (S3O-2605)
The concordat that we have signed with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities is founded on improving educational outcomes and providing more choices and more chances for all children and young people, including those who are identified as living in poverty.
The minister will be aware that there are areas of social and economic deprivation in my constituency. He will also be aware that, over the years, Drumchapel high school has made strenuous efforts to improve the educational opportunities available to its pupils. Does he understand that the Scottish Government's short-sighted decision to axe the schools of ambition programme undermines those efforts and is patently unreasonable, given that the programme was introduced only in 2005 and that early performance indicators such as Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education reports have been broadly positive? Will the cabinet secretary guarantee that, as part of the Government's alternative proposals, schools such as Drumchapel high school in my constituency will be given additional funding and resources after 2010 to allow such excellent work to continue?
I thank Mr Butler for his question and for the promotion, but he rather misrepresents the situation. The schools of ambition programme will continue and over the next few years this Government will spend more on it than the previous Government did. The key is to learn lessons from the schools of ambition programme and transfer good practice so that all schools can become schools of ambition.
Tonight I will have the pleasure of attending Blairgowrie high school's annual gala dinner, which showcases the talents of school pupils who are studying catering and hospitality. Blairgowrie high school's catchment area includes areas of deprivation and it is a school of ambition. The additional funding from the schools of ambition programme has provided for an expansion in the catering and hospitality facilities at the school. What message does the minister want me to take to the school pupils tonight, now that the Government has scrapped the schools of ambition programme and jeopardised the future of those facilities? Or will he tell us today that in future the funding allocated to a school such as Blairgowrie high will be at least as high as it has been over the past three years?
The message that Mr Fraser should take to Blairgowrie tonight is that the Government has not scrapped the schools of ambition programme. Every pound that is allocated to the programme will be delivered over the next three years. He should also indicate the support of this Government for the activities in the high school and congratulate it on the good work it is doing.
Does the minister agree that teaching in nursery schools is the foundation stone for future educational success and that the Labour group in Glasgow City Council was wrong to remove that foundation stone?
In the previous session of Parliament, the criticism was certainly made that certain local authorities were reducing their complement of nursery teachers. We want to reverse that trend and ensure that every child in the relevant age group has access to a nursery teacher. We are setting out our stall to deliver that.
Advanced Highers (Access)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address the number of sixth year school pupils who are unable to access the full range of subjects at advanced higher level. (S3O-2557)
Individual schools and local authorities are responsible for determining which subjects and qualifications to offer and for matching opportunities to their students' needs and local circumstances. It is clear that, in some areas, offering a wide choice involves practical challenges. The Scottish Government is keen to promote good practice in the use of information technology and the development of collaborative arrangements between schools, colleges, universities, training providers and local authorities so that the widest possible range of subjects is delivered.
I recognise that local authorities have the primary responsibility for the delivery of a range of courses, but is the minister aware that the number of pupils who have access to mainstream advanced higher courses such as physics, chemistry, geography and art is declining because of budget cuts? In framing the single outcome agreements that are to be provided between the Scottish Government and local authorities, will she consider including the expansion of access for some of our brightest young people to the courses that they need to access higher education?
The uptake of advanced highers has remained broadly level in recent years. There was a small drop in uptake in 2007, but that was in line with the overall fall in S6 rolls. Staying-on rates in S6 have remained fairly constant.
I take issue with David McLetchie's suggestion that advanced highers help pupils gain access to higher education. In fact, they do no such thing; they help to prepare students for individual learning and the sort of study that is required in higher or further education.
We have to ensure that we get a balance in our schools and that all pupils get from our school system the choices and chances that they deserve. We are considering the qualifications system in relation to the curriculum for excellence so that the system matches the outcomes that we are trying to achieve.
It was upsetting to learn this week that a number of higher courses will no longer be provided in the Borders because of reduced investment in schools in that area. That is symptomatic of the reduction in investment in schools throughout Scotland. Parents are confused when they hear from the Government that the local government settlement was the best ever when, in every community across Scotland, reductions are being made in schools. Who is to blame? Is it the Government or local councils?
I thank the member for his question, but he should have directed it to his Liberal Democrat council in the Borders. The Government has given strong support to Scotland's schools, which is why, from the tight financial settlement that we received from Westminster, local government budgets will increase by 5 per cent, 4.1 per cent and 3.4 per cent over the next three years. Local authorities can also recoup and reinvest efficiency savings, so it is up to them to put that money into education, if they so wish, and we strongly urge them to do so.
Skills Development Scotland
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the establishment of skills development Scotland. (S3O-2614)
Skills development Scotland will be up and running by 1 April and will be fully operational by the summer. Skills development Scotland is on track for staff to transfer on 1 April, when an interim staffing structure will be in place. Contracts and systems will also be in place to allow continuity of service. The positions of substantive chair and board members have been advertised, and interviews will be held shortly. Processes to recruit the substantive chief executive are in train.
Can I press the cabinet secretary on the 50,000 training places to which the Scottish Government is committed? What proportion of those will be modern apprenticeships? Of that proportion, how many will be at Scottish vocational qualification levels 2 and 3?
The Scottish Government has considered the review of modern apprenticeships that was conducted under the previous Government and we are taking lessons from it. We are also listening to the interim board's advice. The new board, which will be up and running from April, will provide us with advice on the future of modern apprenticeships and wider training programmes.
Class Size Reductions
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in calculating the cost of implementing its policy on reducing class sizes. (S3O-2640)
We have signed an historic concordat in which local government has agreed to make year-on-year progress in reducing class sizes in primary 1 to primary 3. That concordat also provides local government with a record financial settlement of £34.9 billion over the next three years. The funding required by individual authorities to reduce class sizes will vary according to the progress that they are able to make over the next three years. We are planning to have 20,000 new teachers in training by 2011.
I ask the cabinet secretary to welcome the modern studies pupils of Calderhead high school in my constituency to the chamber.
The member will recall that we have had a statement in Parliament on class sizes, and the committee that she chairs has had a considerable amount of time to ask questions on the issues.
Order.
I accept COSLA's commitment to the delivery of class size reductions, as set out in the concordat. We have arrived at that situation through discussion, not only with COSLA, but with deans of faculties and others. We will not compromise the teaching of our young pupils by recruiting teachers who are not of the required quality. That is why we will ensure that the delivery of our class size reduction policy will involve maintaining the quality of teachers in initial teaching training, acknowledging the population pressures, which are different in different parts of the country, and respecting—which Karen Whitefield clearly does not—local government's commitment to deliver class size reductions.
What measures will the cabinet secretary put in place to ensure that the additional financial burden that the class size policy in primaries 1 to 3 will put on councils will not in any way have a detrimental effect on the ability of all parents who have children in those year groups to find places for them at good schools?
I acknowledge the member's interest in and concern about this area. It is important to remember that local government has been provided with record levels of funding. Whereas local government's share of total Government spend was going down, it is now marginally going up. If the member looks at the section of the concordat on class size reduction, she will see that we have recognised the importance of not displacing teachers from one area to another. We will be able to maintain teacher numbers at the current level, which means maintaining staffing budget levels across Scotland. There will obviously be variations between local authority areas, but COSLA will ensure that teacher numbers are maintained over the piece so that the required access to school places is provided.
School Buildings (Access)
To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent it considers that school buildings should be accessible to wider community youth projects outwith school hours. (S3O-2561)
The Scottish Government supports community use of school facilities to deliver additional opportunities for young people. The fact that many schools already operate as centres of learning for their local communities means that they have a positive impact that extends beyond the traditional school day. Opening up facilities to local youth projects is one way in which schools can promote wider learning opportunities, but it is for local authorities to decide how best to use those facilities according to local need and demand.
Given the length of notice that is required for advance bookings—in some cases it can be as long as 14 days—and the prohibitive cost of school lets, which varies between local authorities within central region and elsewhere and which deters the use of such buildings outwith school hours, what action is the Scottish Government taking to ensure that all those important facilities are readily accessible and available for use by youth groups and the wider community?
We are aware that school facilities are under pressure. In areas where there are new and refurbished schools, the attraction of their facilities has led to increased demand from the community. As a result, in 2007-08, £5 million has been provided through the youth work facilities improvement fund to allow youth groups and organisations to bid for capital grants that will enable them to enhance directly opportunities for the young people who use their facilities.
Does the minister agree that community accessibility should be a key consideration when new school buildings are planned? Furthermore, does she agree that yesterday's answer to a written question that revealed that no negotiations for any new school buildings have been started since May 2007 is extremely disappointing and represents an abject failure on the part of the Scottish National Party Government, which is simply not delivering the quality school buildings that our young people and communities deserve?
The member will know that, in the local government settlement and new concordat, local authorities have had a 15 per cent increase in capital—which is substantial—so that they can decide where their priorities on school building lie, and go ahead.
Rural Primary Schools
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to support the smallest rural primary schools and recognise the particular strains on teaching resources where pupils across a range of age groups are being taught in the same classroom. (S3O-2647)
We have signed with local government an historic concordat that provides authorities with a record financial settlement of £34.9 billion. Although there are no longer specific allocations for education in the underlying funding calculations, indicators such as the rural settlement pattern, population dispersion and the percentage of pupils in small schools are included, to address financial pressures that rural local authorities face. The indicators form part of the allocation formulae for councils that have been agreed with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
I am sure that the minister shares my concern that in its most recent budget the Highland Council considered removing extra half teaching posts from small rural primary schools such as Elgol primary school on Skye. The council is reviewing the situation with regard to next year's budget. Will the minister make representations to the council, to ensure that vital extra half teaching posts are retained?
The member is a former councillor, so he knows that staffing and other resources that are allocated to schools are a matter for local authorities. I understand that, as part of the budget process, Highland Council considered reducing staffing at Elgol primary school but that the proposal was rejected at a council meeting, which is good news for parents, pupils and teachers at the school. I am sure that Highland Council will take that into account next year. I am sure that the council realises that the services that we provide nationally, such as the national schools intranet—glow—will help small rural schools.
Europe, External Affairs and Culture
Gaelic
To ask the Scottish Government how it intends to promote the Gaelic language. (S3O-2589)
The Scottish Government is preparing a Gaelic language plan and will promote the Gaelic language by taking forward a range of vital initiatives, which include encouraging the preparation of Gaelic plans by authorities and public bodies, expecting Bòrd na Gàidhlig to implement the national plan, seeking to expand Gaelic education at all levels, supporting the development of the Gaelic digital service, and promoting the Gaelic arts at home and abroad. We have provided new funding for initiatives to help to enhance the status of Gaelic.
No doubt the minister is aware that the Royal National Mod this year will be hosted in Falkirk, in my constituency. I am sure that she will be pleased that it will—we hope—be the first fair trade Mod to be held.
I am delighted to hear that we will have a fair trade Mod. I am sure that all members will welcome that news. I am also pleased that the First Minister will formally open the Mod in Falkirk on 10 October.
Performing Arts
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to support the performing arts in the regions of Scotland. (S3O-2601)
Funding for the performing arts in Scotland is disbursed by the Scottish Arts Council. Once I have set the overall budget, it is for the Scottish Arts Council to determine how it will be allocated to the various arts fields. The Scottish Government provides direct funding only to the national performing companies, which play their part in taking their art to the regions of Scotland. The Scottish Arts Council supports regional performing arts in a variety of ways, to ensure that high-quality arts can be produced, and enjoyed by audiences, throughout Scotland.
Does the minister agree that it is vital not only to provide support for regional artistic events, such as the Aberdeen international youth festival, but to ensure that the right funding is invested in the regions of Scotland to ensure that people there can have similar access to artistic and cultural events as people in central Scotland? In Aberdeen, for example, there is a desire to see not only touring companies—including, we hope, more visits from Scottish Opera—but more local professional theatre.
I apologise to the member, because I found it difficult to hear some of what he said. I think that it was about how the thriving arts scene in Aberdeen can be helped and supported. I am more than happy to write to him.
Does the minister agree that "Transform Inverclyde: Bolt"—the recent performance by students from Port Glasgow high school and St Stephen's high school, which was produced with the help of the National Theatre of Scotland—is an excellent example of how the performing arts can motivate and inspire youngsters and build self-esteem, a sense of identity and community? Does she agree that participation in such activity is a far better way of engaging youngsters in society than is an oath of allegiance?
I had an absolutely super time last Friday in Port Glasgow at "Transform Inverclyde: Bolt", which was put together by the National Theatre in conjunction with Port Glasgow's two high schools and the rest of the community. The story of the community was written, produced and performed by the community. It was a fantastic project and the participants should be extremely proud of what they achieved. It was a wonderful way of making people recognise and celebrate their identity and sense of place and—yes—it was much more valuable than any oath of allegiance out of Westminster.
As the minister is aware, a number of charities and cultural groups, including national arts bodies such as Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera, face funding cuts today from the City of Edinburgh Council, which is led by a coalition between her party—the Scottish National Party—and the Liberal Democrats. Did she anticipate those cuts and are they the shape of things to come with other councils, as a result of the freezing of the council tax? If they are, where does that leave Scotland's national arts companies, whose funding the minister has always claimed was secure under the SNP Government?
In past years, both the City of Edinburgh Council and Glasgow City Council have funded the national companies with the exception of the National Theatre. I do not think that the City of Edinburgh Council's decision has come out yet, but I await it with interest. It is for the council to make its own decisions and for the national companies to make representations to the Government and local government. Discussions will be on-going.
I thank the minister for recognising that the previous, Labour-led council in Edinburgh funded outreach work for Scottish Ballet, Scottish Opera and many other arts companies.
I will not talk about a decision that the City of Edinburgh Council has not yet taken. When we hear what the decision is, we will consider it.
Scotland's Reputation
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to enhance Scotland's reputation internationally. (S3O-2559)
Reinforcing Scotland's distinctive global image is a key part of our strategy. The Scottish Government and its partners have a range of activity in place to ensure that we position Scotland as a great place to live, learn, visit, work, do business and invest.
Some might say that if the Scottish Government took more holidays, Scotland's reputation internationally would improve.
I am sure that Mr Brownlee's initial comment referred to previous Governments, rather than this one.
The minister may be aware of a fabulous and fascinating project in my constituency—the Bullwood project—which is doing its best to enhance Scotland's international reputation by producing the largest caber in the world, from a recycled Glasgow Christmas tree, so that it can be paraded in New York during Scotland week. Remarkable things come out of Glasgow Pollok.
I am aware of the Bullwood project, which is very imaginative. There is no need for me to meet Ms Lamont, because at the moment direct discussion is taking place between the Bullwood project and the First Minister's office. I will be happy to bring the member up to date after question time.
I will be the first to congratulate the minister on her announcement of the entrenchment of the St Andrew's day holiday in Scotland, as the previous two speakers failed to do so. How does the minister plan to use Scotland week not just to enhance Scotland's international reputation but to further Scotland's economic and cultural interests?
The week-long programme of events that will take place in North America is aimed at building on the celebration of Scotland that is tartan day, which takes place in the United States and Canada on 6 April. Scotland week 2008 will have events that are much more focused and targeted than in previous years, with the aim of promoting this Government's strategic policy objectives, which are to showcase modern Scotland, to promote business opportunities, to promote tourism and, of course, to promote homecoming Scotland in 2009.
Question 4 is withdrawn.
Lisbon Treaty
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken, or plans to take, to urge the United Kingdom Government to hold a referendum on the European Union Lisbon treaty. (S3O-2592)
This Government has made it clear on numerous occasions, including in this chamber, that the UK Government should have honoured its manifesto commitment to hold a referendum on the Lisbon treaty.
Although I do not want to highlight the internal war going on among the Lib Dems or the broken manifesto pledge of the Labour Party, does the minister agree that we should seek to discover the will of the people on the EU treaty, and that the decision in Westminster this week to back the treaty highlights once again that that place treats the people of Scotland and the rest of the UK with contempt on this crucial issue?
Of course I agree—it is completely out of order that the trust of the electorate in Scotland and the UK was broken by the current UK Government and some of its supporters.
The Lemon Tree
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the Scottish Arts Council provides sufficient support for the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen when it reopens in June. (S3O-2651)
As I stated in answer to an earlier question, funding for the performing arts in Scotland is disbursed by the Scottish Arts Council. I understand that the Scottish Arts Council has been in close discussions about safeguarding the Lemon Tree building for cultural use under new management, and that it has received an application for funding, which it will consider in due course.
The minister is aware that until the Scottish Arts Council stopped the grant in 2006, it gave in excess of £100,000 a year to the Lemon Tree. The SAC has now agreed to give £80,000 to the venue under the new running arrangements of Aberdeen Performing Arts. Does the minister agree that it is vital for the future success of the Lemon Tree that it receives grants to at least the previous level?
I agree with the member that it is extremely important that Aberdeen Performing Arts is able to provide the same level of service to the people of Aberdeen as previously. However, I am not willing in the public arena to go into the details of what happened to the Lemon Tree venue or into the current discussions with the Scottish Arts Council. I am sure that there is good will all round to ensure that, if possible, the venue can be best utilised for Aberdeen.
I welcome the minister's information that talks are continuing. She will be aware that the Lemon Tree, which is in my constituency, has served the city and the whole region well over several years. Will she join me in welcoming the initiative taken by Aberdeen Performing Arts to allow the venue to reopen, albeit on a more limited scale of operation than applied before its forced closure a few weeks before Christmas? Will the minister assure us that decisions by the Scottish Arts Council on future funding of the Lemon Tree will not be affected by the decision of Aberdeen City Council to cut funding for Aberdeen Performing Arts and other trusts by £50,000 a year over the next three years?
I welcome the fact that the Lemon Tree is operating at the moment, but it is for those partners who are currently discussing its financial future to come to their decisions.
National Theatre of Scotland
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase resources to the National Theatre of Scotland to enable it to increase its ability to tour Scotland and foreign destinations. (S3O-2656)
The National Theatre of Scotland will receive core revenue grant of £4,377,000 in 2008-09, which is an increase of 6.77 per cent on the 2007-08 allocation.
I am sure that the minister agrees that Scotland has world-class artists who deserve to be recognised and that National Theatre of Scotland tours boost Scotland's international image and attract new audiences to Scottish cultural life. She will also be aware that the previous Executive made significant investment in the theatre touring strategy. How will the minister ensure that sufficient funding is put in place to allow high-quality theatre of all types to be made available to as great a number and as broad a range of people across Scotland as possible?
Of course, Mr Tolson is right in what he says. On promoting Scotland, we have a tremendous resource in our artists of all types. The National Theatre of Scotland has undertaken tours of "Black Watch", which we all know about, and "The Wolves in the Walls". Such touring is also undertaken by many other theatre companies. Of course, one of the ways that the Government will help to boost such work is through our Edinburgh festival expo fund. I hope to make an announcement on this year's fund fairly shortly.
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