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

They are duly passed unanimously.

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

Image source, Thinkstock

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

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. 

Image 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?

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

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.

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.

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

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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

Image source, bbc

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.

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

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

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.

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. 

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

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.