Scottish Government Debate: Education Governance Next Steps

John Swinney S5M-06376 That the Parliament notes the publication of Education Governance: Next Steps, which sets out proposals for the reform of school education; further notes the emphasis that these proposals place on empowering schools and teachers; acknowledges the need to support schools and teachers through the provision of enhanced career and development opportunities, and strengthened improvement support, including access to expert, peer-led, professional help, backed by resources; recognises the importance of not burdening schools and teachers with unnecessary bureaucracy or workload as part of these reforms, and calls on the Scottish Government to engage with all parties and stakeholders, including parents and young people, in continuing to develop these plans. Further details available for S5M-06376 Liz Smith S5M-06376.1 As an amendment to motion S5M-06376 in the name of John Swinney (Education Governance Next Steps), insert at end ", but, in doing so, deeply regrets the missed opportunity to give full autonomy to headteachers and to further extend choice and diversity within the school system in a way that responds positively to changing parental demand and the philanthropic vision of new types of schools." Further details available for S5M-06376.1 Iain Gray S5M-06376.4 As an amendment to motion S5M-06376 in the name of John Swinney (Education Governance Next Steps), leave out from "publication" to end and insert “Scottish Government document, Education Governance, Empowering Teachers Parents and Communities to achieve Excellence and Equity in Education; An analysis of consultation responses, which states that 'There was widespread support for the current governance system and an apprehension towards further change within the system', that 'On the whole, respondents did not see current governance arrangements as a barrier for improvement and that changing them was not expected to address the deep-seated issues that get in the way of achieving excellence and equity for all' and that 'Specifically respondents thought that budget cuts and staffing issues were the two key barriers for improvement'; does not believe that the Scottish Government document, Education Governance: Next Steps in any way addresses these concerns of parents, teachers, headteachers and educationalists, and calls on the Scottish Government to halt these reforms and to return urgently to the Parliament with a programme of measures that does address these concerns, including action towards restoring cuts to budgets, teacher numbers and support staff.” Further details available for S5M-06376.4 Ross Greer S5M-06376.3 As an amendment to motion S5M-06376 in the name of John Swinney (Education Governance Next Steps), insert at end "; notes evidence, including that submitted in response to the consultation and in the OECD report on Scottish education, which points to structural governance reforms having no positive impact on closing the attainment gap; notes that local democratic accountability is a key strength of education governance in Scotland; expresses concern regarding the implications for accountability in the Scottish Government’s proposals to move powers away from local authorities and to create new regional collaborations; believes the Scottish Government’s proposed reforms to be fundamentally misguided and in contradiction to the issues raised and solutions proposed in responses to the consultation, and calls on the Scottish Government to reconsider the overarching direction of its proposed reforms and invest substantially in education to reverse cuts to teaching and support staff." Further details available for S5M-06376.3 Tavish Scott S5M-06376.2 As an amendment to motion S5M-06376 in the name of John Swinney (Education Governance Next Steps), insert at end “; opposes compulsory top-down regional collaboration and the shifting of further control towards Scottish ministers; recalls the evidence presented to the Education and Skills Committee in favour of separating the policy and inspection functions of Education Scotland and believes that this is necessary, and notes the essential role of support services for schools, notably youth workers.” Further details available for S5M-06376.2