Ms Davidson says the data shows numeracy and literacy standards are down. She says there is no rigorous method for testing standards in primary school, according to Audit Scotland.

Elliott Glasgow tweets, external: 20mins, a First Minister, 2 MSPs and the Speaker so far at #FMQs and we've yet to hear a male voice. So refreshing!

The first minister says there is a lack of data in primary schools and that must be addressed.

Ms Sturgeon says it is not the case that standards in education are falling but there are improvements that have to be made. The first minister points to the £100m education attainment fund.

Scotland's education secretary believes it is not just up to English teachers to improve literacy levels.

Angela Constance was speaking after a survey showed reading standards had fallen among P4, P7 and S2 pupils. She said she was "astonished" that fewer than 20% of non-English secondary teachers thought reading and writing was "vital" to their curriculum area.

Image source, Thinkstock

However, Scotland's largest teaching union, the EIS, said Ms Constance had wrongly used data to make her point.

Union head Larry Flanagan insisted the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy (SSLN ) showed that teachers had a "very high level of engagement with literacy skills and development across non-English subject areas".

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson raises the issue of falling numeracy and literacy levels. Ms Davidson asks if the government believes in standardised testing.

Ms Sturgeon says just because Ms Dugdale says something in a sincere way does not make it true. Labour removed tuition fees from the front end to the back, that is not abolishing tuition fees, she says.

Kezia Dugdale says it was the Labour party that abolished tuition fees in 2001. She says far from dumping the debt - it has doubled under the SNP, says Ms Dugdale When will first minister admit she's letting down Scotland's students, she asks.

Lynne Currie tweets, external: Labour INTRODUCED back door tuition fees in 2001! #FMQs

Ms Sturgeon argues about the figures saying in 2014 Scotland had lower per capita student debt. The first minister says it was Labour who introduced tuition fees and accuses Ms Dugdale of hypocrisy.

Kate Shannon tweets, external: "WHEESHT!" PO Tricia Marwick tells unruly MSPs #fmqs

Kezia Dugdale asks whether student debt has gone up or down under the SNP.

James Mackenzie tweets, external: I suspect the broad pressure on the SNP over education will lead to some changes. #fmq

Ms Dudale retorts that may be a speech but it is not an answer.

The Scottish Labour deputy leader says Scotland has the lowest level of bursaries and grants in the UK.

Ms Sturgeon says the government will look at improving support for students from deprived areas.

Aidan Skinner tweets, external: .@kdugdalemsp starts #fmq with a specific question and @NicolaSturgeon responds with "talking scottish children down" and then handwaves

Ms Sturgeon says it is the student support package that matters to students. The first minister points to the minimum income of £7,500 introduced for students.

Ms Dugdale says since 2007 bursaries and grants for students have been slashed by £40m.

Ms Sturgeon says Scotland has the best student support package in the UK.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she will not allow any politician to "traduce the achievements" of Scotland's pupils.