SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Education and Lifelong Learning
Chinese Culture, History and Language
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to extend the teaching of Chinese culture, history and language. (S3O-6662)
We have taken a number of steps to extend the teaching of Chinese culture, history and language over the past year, including launching eight Confucius classrooms in Scotland and several national qualifications in Chinese languages, increasing the number of teachers of Chinese, and funding 51 young people to undertake a study visit to China this summer.
I thank the Government for the introduction of Chinese language teaching at school level and commend Angus Council's on-going pioneering work to promote direct cultural, educational and commercial contacts, which I originally instigated and which now leads the whole of Scotland. That work shows what can be done by positive co-operation and action at local government level.
I congratulate the member and Angus Council on leading the way in many ways on relationships with China and particular areas of the country. I want language teaching to be encouraged in colleges and universities. Qualifications in languages for work purposes, which will include units on Cantonese and Mandarin, are among the interesting new qualifications that are coming on board. I think that those qualifications will readily lend themselves to a college or university situation.
When the cabinet secretary was in China, did the Chinese say whether they have maximum class sizes or whether they determine the number of pupils in classes by the subject that they are studying, the teacher's experience of teaching that subject and the socioeconomic range that the school caters for?
The classes that I saw in China—certainly in Shanghai—were slightly larger than those in Scotland. However, there is an important message for Scotland. When I was in Hong Kong, it was clear to me that people there had just embarked on educational reforms that are very similar to the curriculum for excellence reforms. They were concerned that the previous rote learning in large classes, which was done in a chalk-and-talk way, was no longer fit for purpose. We have agreed to collaborate closely with the Hong Kong Government in particular. They are several years ahead of us, but it is clear that there are lessons that we can learn from them. Individuals learning to learn is becoming increasingly important. It should be remembered that Hong Kong performs strongly in the international tables, particularly in science and maths. There is a lot to learn both ways about education and schools in China.
Question 2 has been withdrawn.
Teacher Training (Scots Language)
To ask the Scottish Government how many higher education institutions ensure that their teacher training graduates are competent to teach Scots. (S3O-6664)
There is no teaching qualification in the Scots language. However, the higher education institutions that offer initial teacher education are committed to preparing all new teachers to deliver the curriculum for excellence, which contains a clear commitment to the promotion of Scottish history, culture and languages. Therefore, all teachers should be prepared to build on the diversity of language that is represented in the communities of Scotland and value the languages that children and young people bring to school.
In light of the compelling testimony from front-line teachers that increased provision of the Scots language can enhance literacy, social inclusion, English skills and the understanding of Scots culture, does the Scottish Government have plans to significantly increase investment in Scots in schools? Does it have plans to commission research into the provision of Scots education?
As Bill Wilson knows—or as he kens fine, as I should perhaps say—local authorities are responsible for allocating budgets to their schools to meet the demands and priorities in their local area. It is for schools, in the light of the curriculum framework within which they operate, to determine how best to organise the syllabus for all subjects, including Scots in schools. There is no extra funding for Scots and the Scottish Government has no plans to increase significantly investment in Scots in schools.
Additional Support Needs (Resources)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that sufficient resources are allocated for the education of children with additional support needs. (S3O-6597)
The Scottish Government is investing record levels of funding in local government, with £23 billion for the period 2008 to 2010. It is for each local authority, in the light of local needs and priorities, to determine how much funding is allocated for the education of children with additional support needs.
The minister's answer closely follows the response of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning to my question on 5 February, when she used the same figure of £23 billion and suggested that the level of support to local government this year, 2009-10, is a 9.9 per cent increase on the 2007-08 figure. Given that, is the minister willing to condemn any real-terms reduction in spending on additional support needs over that same period, in which the Government boasts of a 9.9 per cent increase in resources to local government?
Frankly, I do not recognise Ms Alexander's figures. We have talked about a 5.5 per cent increase in expenditure on education in local authorities in the previous financial year. In the member's council area of Renfrewshire, there has been a significant uplift in spending. Frankly, I do not recognise the situation to which Ms Alexander refers.
Universities (Graduate Career Prospects)
To ask the Scottish Government what steps universities are taking to improve the career prospects of graduates. (S3O-6573)
Universities are taking a range of steps to improve their graduates' career prospects. In the letter of guidance that I issued to the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council last November, I asked the council to develop entrepreneurial capacity and employability among graduates. Through initiatives such as learning to work, the council is helping to support universities in their work to improve their graduates' employability.
As the cabinet secretary will be aware, the University of Aberdeen recently announced plans to reform its curriculum to bring about increased flexibility and a wider range of educational choices. Does she agree that the reforms will boost the employability of the university's graduates and help to make the north-east of Scotland a more attractive place for economic investment?
Yes. I visited the University of Aberdeen at the end of March to hear at first hand about the exciting work that it is doing in the reform of its curriculum to enhance the Aberdeen learning experience. The reforms will mean that the university's graduates are better informed, more rounded and more intellectually flexible. A key focus for the university is the employability of students, but the focus is also on developing graduate attributes such as academic excellence, critical thinking, effective communication, openness to learning and personal development and active citizenship, all of which reflect some of the capacities in the curriculum for excellence. The focus in the university's new curriculum reflects initiatives from around the world. Indeed, when I met the universities of Aberdeen and Hong Kong, I heard how some of the developments there reflect some of the same types of curriculum reform. It is a very interesting development and can only help to improve the employability and economic circumstances of graduates contributing to the north-east of Scotland.
Is the cabinet secretary aware that 22 dietetic students at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen are waiting for a placement in the national health service so that they can complete their degrees and that there are similar problems at Queen Margaret University and Glasgow Caledonian University? At a challenging time for graduate employment and employability, it is vital that that obstacle is removed so that those students can complete their courses. Will the cabinet secretary pledge to work with her health colleagues to ensure that every dietetic student gets a placement as soon as possible?
Clearly, dieticians and their placements are a matter for those students, Robert Gordon University, the other universities and the national health service. As cabinet secretary, I am frequently asked to intervene in individual university courses at the same time as being accused of interfering with academic freedom. I cannot do both of those things. By law, I am deliberately prevented from interfering in particular courses and particular universities. However, I recognise the frustration that many such students might feel. I know that North East Scotland MSPs such as Nigel Don have been proactive in contacting the NHS and the university to try to find a resolution that meets the students' needs. There is clear concern about the situation, but I hope that Claire Baker reflects on the limit of what I can do as cabinet secretary.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that one of the consequences of Labour's recession and rising unemployment is that more graduates will look to stay on to do postgraduate degrees and there will be a rise in the number of applications for postgraduate places. Will she look at university funding to ensure that institutions are being resourced properly to deal with that rise in applications?
Universities and higher education are receiving a bigger share of the total Scottish block than under the previous Administration. However, the member is right to identify graduates' desire to stay on and do a postgraduate course.
Primary Schools (Class Sizes)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to meet its pledge of a maximum class size of 18 for primaries 1 to 3. (S3O-6624)
Under the terms of the concordat, local government has agreed to make year-on-year progress in reducing the number of pupils in P1 to P3 classes to a maximum of 18. The concordat recognises that the rate of progress will vary due to local circumstances.
Is the cabinet secretary aware of the public meeting that took place in Bellshill on Tuesday evening? The parents of students at Orbiston nursery school and Lawmuir and Sacred Heart primary schools came together to oppose North Lanarkshire Council's proposal to close Orbiston nursery school in order to relocate provision within the two neighbouring primary schools, thereby removing the opportunity to reduce class sizes as envisaged.
I urge the member to contact his local authority, North Lanarkshire Council, to address those issues. The fact that it is run by the Labour Party might make it easier for him to make those contacts. I would have thought that after eight years of being a member of the Parliament, all responsible MSPs would know who runs their local authority education department and it is important that Michael McMahon knows that too. His point is well made, however, and he has made a representation in the Parliament on behalf of his constituents.
On the matter of making progress on class sizes, will the cabinet secretary make urgent representations to Glasgow City Council, as the closure of many primary schools in the city will lead to higher class sizes in schools outwith the local community? Will she specifically challenge the Labour education spokesperson, Jonathan Findlay, who bizarrely defends higher class sizes as providing
Clearly, local authorities are responsible for the school estate and school closures and the role of ministers relates purely to process.
South Ayrshire Council (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers plan to meet the education convener of South Ayrshire Council. (S3O-6614)
I met South Ayrshire Council's chief executive and executive director for children and communities on 20 April 2009. I would be happy to meet the education convener at a mutually convenient date.
When the minister meets the education convener, will he press the Tory-Scottish National Party council to explain why teacher numbers in South Ayrshire have dropped from a peak of 515 in 2006, which was the result of sustained investment by the previous Labour-led Executive, to 487 in 2008?
I was encouraged by my meeting with the senior management of South Ayrshire Council. It has a strong focus on concordat commitments. It will make significant progress this year on cutting class sizes. It is taking on extra pre-school teachers. It is well on track for the implementation of the curriculum for excellence. It will be one of the first local authorities to implement the early years framework. In addition, it has introduced a kinship care allowance at Fostering Network rates.
I was going to call question 8, but John Farquhar Munro is not in the chamber. We will move to question 9.
Teacher Numbers (Aberdeen)
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Aberdeen City Council regarding teacher numbers. (S3O-6599)
Scottish ministers have not yet had discussions with Aberdeen City Council on teacher numbers. However, my education and lifelong learning ministerial colleagues and I will soon meet each local authority in Scotland to discuss, among other things, teacher numbers and class sizes.
In March, the First Minister said that the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning will pursue with individual councils the question why not all councils in Scotland have managed to achieve the teacher numbers that we would all wish them to. In the light of that statement, and given that teacher numbers in Aberdeen have fallen by 153, why has dialogue on the issue not yet taken place between ministers and Aberdeen City Council? How will ministers help the council to restore teacher numbers to previous levels, given its plans for further cuts of £5.9 million in its education budget next year?
We will discuss those issues when we meet the council. There is a date for the meeting next month that I hope the council will confirm. As I said in my previous answer, if the council's finances had not been left in such a parlous state through the Labour Party's offices, it would have been much easier to deal with the issues.
Aberdeen City Council is one of the councils that could not reply with accurate data on how many teaching vacancies have been filled by supply and probationer teachers. What plans does the minister have to improve the collection of data on that issue?
The issue is being addressed—the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning is examining the issues, not least the fact that some of the figures that we have received on teacher numbers have proved to be less than accurate when compared with those held by the Office of National Statistics. We will raise the issue when we meet Aberdeen City Council.
Europe, External Affairs and Culture
Creative Scotland (Funding)
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on developing the detailed funding requirements of creative Scotland. (S3O-6615)
Creative Scotland will inherit the budgets of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, as well as having access to an additional £5 million for an innovation fund in 2009-10 and 2010-11. Detailed decisions on the use of those budgets will be for creative Scotland to take when it is vested. At present, the existing bodies remain in operation and are spending their resources.
In his statement to Parliament on 2 April, the minister indicated that £1.1 million had been set aside for voluntary severance settlements. Will he indicate how many employees have been identified for redundancy and what discussions have taken place with the trade unions on the matter?
The member is right to stress the importance of working constructively, professionally, properly and inclusively with the trade unions and the staff members on those issues. I met the trade unions on 2 April in connection with my statement, briefed them fully on the issues that we were discussing and made it clear—as I did in my statement and in responding to questions afterwards—that the identification of exact numbers and the debate on that should properly take place between the transition body, the trade unions and the staff members. I will keep a close eye on that to ensure that it is done in the best possible way.
Given the minister's claim during this morning's media debate that the issuing of compulsory redundancy notices by the Trinity Mirror group was wholly unacceptable, will he categorically assure members that there will be no compulsory job cuts in the merging of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen? With major cuts in funding ahead, are we to assume that that will be the same for other public bodies?
There will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of the creation of creative Scotland—that has been said many times. It is the Government's policy that there will be no compulsory redundancies in relation to the work that we are doing, and I am happy to confirm that again.
First Minister (Visit to China)
To ask the Scottish Executive what issues were raised during the First Minister's recent visit to China. (S3O-6578)
The First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning—who is sitting beside me and I am sure will confirm as much—visited China to pursue the objectives of the Scottish Government's China plan. The main themes of the visit were energy, financial services, tourism, business, the creative industries and education.
I regret that I have not had a chance to look at the written answer, but I look forward with enthusiasm to doing so.
The member's attitude towards China is curiously equivocal, but I shall be positive about both parts of his question.
The minister will know that, this summer, the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra will hold a series of concerts in China at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Culture. Indeed, it will be the first Scottish fiddle orchestra to perform in the country. Will the minister offer the orchestra the best wishes of the Government and the whole Parliament for a successful tour and take steps to ensure that opportunities for cultural exchanges between Scotland and China, especially those involving young people, are maximised?
Members would be surprised if I said no. My answer is "of course". Indeed, I have already been in touch with the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra through an intermediary and have offered to meet its members to give them good wishes for their visit. If meeting them helps in any way, I am happy to do so.
United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the scope for Scottish civil servants to hold positions in the UK permanent representation to the European Union has been addressed in any of its discussions with the UK Government on a devolved civil service. (S3O-6581)
I am happy to assure the member that the concordat with the United Kingdom Government on European Union issues makes no distinction between the staff of the three devolved Administrations in relation to eligibility to hold posts in the UK permanent representation to the EU. Members of the Northern Ireland civil service, which is a fully devolved civil service, have held such posts on the same basis as members of the home civil service who have worked for the Welsh Assembly Government or the Scottish Government.
I am, of course, aware of the current arrangements. However, although I—and, I think, other members—understand why the Scottish National Party might wish to press the civil service into a more independent position, I hope that the minister will accept that under the current constitutional arrangements it is very important for Scotland's civil servants to hold positions in the UK permanent representation not only for the experience that they will gain but to allow them to be part of and influence the process. I hope that neither the minister nor his Government has any intention of pushing for an independent civil service that would compromise that position.
I suggest that the member should have more confidence in and be more open to these matters. Of course we expect members of the civil service in Scotland to play a full part in every aspect of the UK civil service in the wider world in order to learn and contribute. Indeed, that is what they do. However, we feel that we have a strong opportunity to move towards a civil service that is focused on Scotland and works in the wider world. That remains the Government's ambition, and I hope that we will achieve it.
Notwithstanding Ross Finnie's reservations, does the minister agree that Scotland's interests in Europe would be better represented if it were an independent member state and its civil servants formed an independent body and did not need to sit within the UK permanent representation to the EU?
Rather like in your answer to the supplementary to the previous question, a simple "yes" would suffice, minister.
I concur. [Laughter.]
Buildings of Historical Interest
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to preserve buildings of historical interest. (S3O-6604)
I was so taken aback that I have lost my place.
The minister is aware of Cumbernauld house in my constituency, which is a fine example of Adam's architecture and is treasured by local people. I thank him for his interest in and correspondence on the matter, but I advise him that, as time passes, the fabric of the building is deteriorating. The building is important to the people of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth. Does he have any powers of intervention with local authorities or Historic Scotland to secure the future of Cumbernauld house for the people of Cumbernauld and Scotland as a whole?
I was glad to meet Jamie Hepburn and Councillor Tom Johnston yesterday to discuss the issue. I could reflect slightly unkindly that if North Lanarkshire Council had not sold Cumbernauld house in 1996, we might not be in the position that we are in now. However, that being the case, Historic Scotland would be involved only if there was an application for help because of the condition of the building. I understand that the problems with the condition of the building relate to the illicit removal of lead from the roof, which I think is a matter for insurers, rather than anything else, at present.
I thank the minister for meeting Councillor Johnston and me yesterday to discuss the matter. Is he willing to accompany Councillor Johnston and me on a visit to Cumbernauld house to learn about some of the potential uses for the site?
I would be delighted to do so. I am always happy to see a William Adam house and I am always happy to visit Cumbernauld, so I look forward to such a visit.
While the minister is in the Cumbernauld area, he might like to take a few steps down the road to Kirkintilloch, where we have a fine 101-year-old town hall, which is in need of preservation. However, an application for Heritage Lottery funding has been refused. Will he agree to meet me and representatives of the Kirkintilloch Town Hall Preservation Trust to discuss the application?
It is going to be a busy day, minister.
It is always a pleasure to visit Kirkintilloch and I would be delighted to do so. However, my visit would—alas—be in the context of cuts in lottery funding, because of the requirement to pay for the Olympic games, which I think is regrettable. I support the Olympics, but I do not support their being paid for in that way. I am happy to go to Kirkintilloch, Cumbernauld and all other reachable points during that day.
Creative Scotland (Set-up Costs)
To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs will be of establishing creative Scotland. (S3O-6636)
As I said in my statement to Parliament on 2 April, my expectation is that the total cost of the transformation will be just over £3.3 million. That figure represents our rigorous current best estimate of the full costs that will arise from transition.
The minister will be aware that there are some concerns in the arts world that the new direction of creative Scotland could focus too heavily on the economic and business benefits of arts in Scotland, which could curtail a more experimental and risk-taking approach to the arts. Does he agree that, although the economic benefits of a thriving arts culture in Scotland are to be welcomed and supported, art in Scotland must be about more than just wealth creation and must always be focused primarily on enriching the lives of those who view, listen to or participate in it?
I have no difficulty in agreeing whole-heartedly with the member. We must have a modern vision of the arts in Scotland. We must put the artist—the creator—at the centre and we must emphasise access and participation. We must eschew the supposed dichotomy between the economic imperative and the cultural imperative, which is, as I am sure the member agrees, an old-fashioned way of looking at culture. We must be rigorous in our inclusion, bring all the sectors together and value creativity. If people attempt to divide, we must resist that as strongly as possible.
Broadcasting and Print Media
To ask the Scottish Government what its approach is to preventing further contraction in Scottish broadcasting and print media. (S3O-6575)
The member was present this morning when we debated a motion from Mr Whitton on the Scottish media and particularly the print media. The Parliament recognised the importance of a strong media sector and its contribution to democracy and the economy. As the Government outlined in its response to the Scottish Broadcasting Commission's report, we are pursuing diversity and the establishment of a Scottish network and we seek increased network programme output from the BBC and Channel 4, neither of which has lived up to Scotland's expectations of it for output.
I welcome the minister's first remarks. I press on him the urgency of the situation at the Daily Record and the Sunday Mail, so I ask him to ask his colleague Jim Mather to arrange a meeting please with the management, before too much happens.
I am not surprised that Margo MacDonald's family is involved in all activities of fiddling and the arts.
I am sure that the minister agrees that the compulsory redundancies that the Trinity Mirror group has imposed on Daily Record and Sunday Mail journalists are totally unacceptable. Will he and other ministers continue to press Trinity Mirror to negotiate with the National Union of Journalists to ensure an early resolution to the dispute?
I continue to make it clear that only negotiation will produce a resolution, so negotiation must take place. Even if the management refuses to negotiate now, it will eventually have to accept that it should negotiate, so the answer is yes—of course.
Commission on Scottish Devolution
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the Calman Commission on Scottish Devolution is making a positive contribution to the debate on Scotland's constitutional options. (S3O-6608)
The Scottish Government has consistently said that the commission might make a useful contribution to the national conversation. However, by refusing to consider independence, the commission limits debate and denies the people of Scotland the opportunity to consider all the options.
Is the minister aware that, at the Plaid Cymru spring conference, his colleague Aileen Campbell described the Calman commission as anti-democratic? Since the commission was established following a large majority vote in the Parliament from three parties representing nearly two thirds of the electorate at the previous Scottish Parliament elections, will he dissociate himself and the Scottish Executive from those ill-judged and contemptuous remarks?
It will not surprise the member to learn that I will not do that and that I endorse Aileen Campbell's remarks, because her point is entirely clear. Any commission that rejects any of the available options is anti-democratic. If all the options are genuinely included, a process is by definition democratic.
Not from here there has not.
Alas, given that sedentary intervention from Mr McAveety, I cannot say that things have changed for the better beside me.
Previous
First Minister's Question Time