New Higher Examinations (Implementation)
The implementation of curriculum for excellence, including the new national qualifications, is on track. Our schools have made excellent progress and all partners are committed to ensuring that the new qualifications are delivered successfully and benefit pupils across Scotland.
This is a very serious issue to do with our children’s education. The minister says that he will listen and has listened, but he must have delayed hearing. Over 18 months ago, the Government was warned by teachers, parents and Opposition members such as me about issues with teachers’ workload, so why has it taken until now to allow for a delay? When was that decision taken? If this climbdown was seamlessly planned and organised, why did Bill Maxwell of Education Scotland send a letter to directors of education just two weeks ago setting out
The member has to get it clear in his head whether he and the Opposition are criticising the Government for pressing ahead too fast, as has been suggested, or for not pressing ahead fast enough. There is no doubt in my mind that the Government has been listening; indeed, we have been listening for some weeks now to the calls from the teaching community and schools for exceptional circumstances to be recognised. As for the expectations and the letter that Mr Bibby has mentioned, it remains the natural expectation and option that young people will be sitting the new highers in the coming session. Criticising the Government for recognising exceptional circumstances and the need to work with teachers is really a criticism that I find difficult to follow.
The listening mode did not last too long. I said that the situation could have been planned for and adequately resourced had the Government listened to concerns 18 months ago. Instead, an audit was commissioned on the state of readiness for the new qualifications, but those involved did not speak directly to a single teacher. Ministers had previously said that a delay would be damaging, but that is exactly what we will have in some circumstances and teachers, children and parents have been let down, with some children now not having a direct follow-on from their national 4 and 5 learning. Does the minister accept that his Government has got this badly wrong?
No—and it is also worth saying that, as far as the flexibility that has been discussed is concerned, it will not be enough for a single teacher to make such a decision. Any such decision would have to be made in consultation with the school, the local authority and, crucially, the parent body in that school. In any case, I am more than happy to be in the company of people such as Larry Flanagan of the Educational Institute of Scotland, who described this decision as
Island Areas Ministerial Working Group
At its third meeting, on 21 November, the group discussed fishing and aquaculture, enterprise and the Crown estate. We also agreed a joint communiqué on our current position, which was released following the meeting.
Does the minister agree that the powers that are needed to implement significant changes in island communities—for example, through a bill for an islands act—will be available only with independence?
Yes. Indeed, last week, the Government committed to introducing a bill for an islands act upon independence. The best prospect for implementing the outcome of the ministerial working group’s discussions is with the full powers of independence, when decisions on, for example, energy, the economy and the Crown estate can be duly considered and, where necessary, legislated for by the Scottish Parliament. Today’s independence white paper indicates clear steps towards local control and community benefit from the foreshore and sea beds in the islands. The answer to the member’s question is, therefore, yes—with independence comes immense opportunities.
I understand that the group is scheduled to meet again in January. Will the minister provide an update on what issues will be discussed?
The agenda for that meeting has not yet been determined because we determine the agenda and content of these meetings in partnership with the our islands, our future campaign. We are working through a very ambitious work plan with the campaign and will continue to have a dialogue about the plan’s content and the agenda itself, which will lead to a prospectus by the summer in advance of the referendum. As well as those on-going discussions, which have been welcomed by the campaign and the three council leaders, dialogue is on-going in the convention of the Highlands and Islands and the Scottish cities alliance.
Instead of promising jam tomorrow, will the minister put on the agenda for the group’s next meeting issues that can be devolved to the islands just now such as transport to and from them, which will make a huge step change, the real integration of public services and indeed the devolution of powers that the Government already holds? Will he put such issues on the agenda and make progress on them, or are the islands, too, on pause?
I can tell Rhoda Grant that the island leaders do not think that the issues are on pause. They welcome and whole-heartedly support the engagement that the Scottish Government is offering.
I advise the minister that the convener of Orkney Islands Council does not agree with him. In the joint communiqué that was issued last week, Steven Heddle said:
I am delighted that Liam McArthur is being positive, as usual, about the package that is being created for the island areas. He did not complete the quotation from the council leader. About an hour ago, I spoke to the council leader, who has said that he is delighted with the engagement and the offer from the Scottish Government.
The minister knows that I have supported more local decision making for some Scottish islands. I have flagged up with him concerns from constituents that Argyll and Bute Council might miss out on the devolution of powers that it appears will be devolved to Orkney and Shetland in future. Will he provide further assurances on the matter? How will islands such as Islay, Jura and Mull benefit?
Mr McGrigor makes a fair point. The prospect of enhanced powers, subsidiarity and decentralisation will have ramifications and consequences for other local authorities and communities. That is why I attended the convention of the Highlands and Islands, engaged with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and wrote to local authorities such as Argyll and Bute Council to assure them that the consequences of the positive and dynamic discussion that we are having will benefit all parts of Scotland, in line with the Lerwick declaration.
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