Summary

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  • MSPs debated an LCM to the Scotland Bill before passing it as decision time

  • The Land Reform Bill was debated for the final time before being passed by MSPs

  • Education ministers were in the hot seats during portfolio questions

  • SNP MSP Mark McDonald led a debate highlighting Schools' Autism Awareness Week

  1. MSPs unanimously back community engagement effectiveness amendmentspublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    Legal Affairs Minister Paul Wheelhouse and SNP MSP Mike Russell back the amendments from Sarah Boyack.

    They are duly passed unanimously.

  2. MSPs debate amendments relating to community engagement effectivenesspublished at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    Labour MSP Sarah Boyack speaks to her amendment relating to the assessment of effectiveness of community engagement guidance.   

  3. Land Reform Bill Stage 3 amendments resumespublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    MSPs return now to debating the amendments to the Land Reform Bill.

    Land

    The Land Reform Bill, external measures include:

    • creating a register of people in charge of land
    • provisions to force land sales if owners block economic development
    • setting up a Land Commission
    • plans to improve the systems of right to roam and common good land
  4. Question on the promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in schoolspublished at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson asks what the government is doing to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics in schools. 

    SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson
  5. International students and further education collegespublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    SNP MSP Linda Fabiani asks what recent representations the Scottish government has made to the UK government regarding international students and further education colleges.

  6. BSL national plan is be being formedpublished at 14:36 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    Learning Minister Alasdair Allan says a BSL national plan is being formed, which will comprise nine public bodies and ten individuals whose first language is BSL. 

    BSLImage source, Thinkstock
    Image caption,

    BSL

  7. Question on the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015published at 14:34 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    SNP MSP Dennis Robertson asks what progress is being made in implementing the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015., external

  8. Background: Scottish government's 'named person' plan faces Supreme Court challengepublished at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    A legal challenge against Scottish government plans to appoint a "named person" for every child in Scotland is being heard at the Supreme Court. 

    Four charities and three individuals have lodged an appeal against the scheme, which is due to come into force in August. 

    Hand holding paper cut out of familyImage source, Thinkstock

    The plan is part of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. 

    Ministers believe it will help protect children, but critics have said it will create a "nanny state". 

    The scheme would allow the named person - usually a senior teacher - to provide advice, information or support where appropriate to promote, support or safeguard the wellbeing of youngsters under the age of 18. 

    What is the named person scheme?

  9. Question on the named person provisionpublished at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    SNP MSP Mark McDonald asks what the benefits of the named person provision will be for children and families. 

  10. Labour MSP calls for ratio of teachers to pupils in special schools to be improvedpublished at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    Learning Minister Alasdair Allan says at the end of this week he will publish his report on additional support for learning.

    Dr Simpson asks what the government is going to restore the ratio to one that is reasonable and to ensure special needs assistants are not cut, due to budget pressures facing local authorities.

    Labour MSP Richard Simpson
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP Richard Simpson

    Mr Allan says there has been an increase in the number of pupils in this category and says he is very alive the services needed must be provided.

    He says attainment has improved amongst this group.

  11. Question on pupil to teacher ratio is in special schoolspublished at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    Labour MSP Richard Simpson asks what the pupil to teacher ratio is in special schools, and how this compares with 2008.

  12. Minister says early intervention is crucialpublished at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    Children and Young People's Minister Aileen Campbell says there is a comprehensive range of measures to address children's lives in the early years. 

    Children and Young People's Minister Aileen Campbell
  13. Background: Teachers survey finds more pupils 'going to school hungry'published at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    In December it was reported that an increasing number of pupils in Scotland are going to school hungry and in some cases are stealing food from classmates according to teachers. 

    Teaching union the EIS carried out a survey as part of its work on tackling the impact of poverty in schools. 

    About half (51%) of those questioned reported a rise in pupils coming to school without any food. 

    Pupils in classroom

    The survey also found an increase in those taking free school meals and attending breakfast clubs. 

    More than 300 primary and secondary teachers responded to the autumn survey by the country's largest teaching union. 

    One in five (19%) identified an increase in the number of incidents of children asking for food and even stealing food from other pupils. 

  14. Poverty impact on children's attainmentpublished at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    SNP MSP John Mason asks what action is being taken to ensure that the government's policy on children's attainment takes account of the impact of poverty.

  15. Minister says Daily Mile is an 'excellent initiative'published at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    Mr Allan says the Daily Mile is an excellent initiative, simple and free.

    Pupils runningImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Pupils walk or run around a specially-built circuit outside the school's playground every day

    A Stirling primary school pioneered the scheme to ensure all of its pupils walk or run a mile every day.

    Children at St Ninian's Primary take the daily exercise on a specially built circuit outside the school's playground.

    The "daily mile" scheme is credited with improving the health of pupils, and a number of other schools are now looking at copying it.

    Head teacher Elaine Wyllie said the scheme was developed three years ago after a school volunteer realised the children lacked stamina.

  16. Question on the Daily Mile in schoolspublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    SNP MSP George Adam asks how the government is promoting the "Daily Mile" in schools.

    SNP MSP George Adam
  17. Question on government spend per pupil and how this compares with Englandpublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    SNP MSP Christian Allard asks how much the government spends per pupil, and how this compares with England. 

  18. Concerns about removal of librarianspublished at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    Mr McGrigor raises concerns about the removal of librarians from schools in Argyll and Bute.

    Learning Minister Alasdair Allan says he is aware of the concerns and he agrees with the importance of reading to young person's achievement and a young person's life chances.

    Learning Minister Alasdair Allan

    Labour MSP Neil Findlay asks if it was rank hypocrisy for the education secretary to pose for pictures in a library after the cuts to local councils.

    Mr Allan says Mr Findlay would know all about posing. 

  19. Question on libraries in schoolspublished at 14:22 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor asks how the government encourages the provision of libraries in schools in the Highlands and Islands. 

    Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor
  20. Question on education in Scotland should the UK withdraw from the EU.published at 14:20 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016

    SNP MSP Christina McKelvie aks what analysis has been carried out of the potential impact on education in Scotland of the UK withdrawing from the EU.