Meeting of the Parliament 18 April 2012 : Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell) Nae point.
Meeting of the Parliament 29 March 2012 : Thursday, March 29, 2012
Michael Russell Absolutely. It is a necessity in our education system that there is a national standard. However, there must also be—as there always has been in Scottish education—flexibility from place to place and, indeed, from school to school.
Teachers will be able to find assessment material and exe...
Meeting of the Parliament 29 March 2012 : Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell) I do not think that one is allowed to advertise, Presiding Officer—though if I were, I would.
The national 4 qualification will be monitored through Scottish Qualifications Authority benchmarking activities and the on-going monitoring of standards as the new qualifications are implemented...
Meeting of the Parliament 22 March 2012 : Thursday, March 22, 2012
Michael Russell Will the member give way?
Meeting of the Parliament 22 March 2012 : Thursday, March 22, 2012
Michael Russell I suggest that the leader of the Opposition, who is shouting out as usual, and the education spokesperson who is about to sum up take a positive approach. They should come and discuss this issue. Let us get together on it, because I suspect that we are about to hear more anger and bile directed more...
Meeting of the Parliament 22 March 2012 : Thursday, March 22, 2012
Michael Russell That was an unhelpful intervention, but I am used to that from Mr Henry. I was talking about developing the way in which we deliver child care to take account of the flexibility required, and that needs primary legislation. I make the offer again—if Hugh Henry wants to sit down and talk, or if Neil ...
Meeting of the Parliament 22 March 2012 : Thursday, March 22, 2012
Michael Russell In a moment, Mr Henry. The Government is happy to introduce that legislation. Liz Smith has asked to discuss it and I am very happy to sit down and discuss it. I make the same commitment to Hugh Henry. I constantly make commitments to Mr Henry that he can come and talk to me, and he never does, but ...
Meeting of the Parliament 22 March 2012 : Thursday, March 22, 2012
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell) I welcome what is, as Liz Smith pointed out, the second debate on the topic in seven days. Last week’s debate was called by the Liberal Democrats. It is clear that they got a surfeit of information last week and decided not to have a second shot at the issue. This week’s debate has been called by La...
Meeting of the Parliament 22 March 2012 : Thursday, March 22, 2012
Michael Russell No, we cannot.
Meeting of the Parliament 22 March 2012 : Thursday, March 22, 2012
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell) I do not want to shoot the member’s fox so early on, but I say unequivocally and without fear of contradiction by anybody that the commitment stands as made and will be delivered. We should get on to the substance of the debate rather than the smears of the debate.