Tory MSP Liz Smith says there are many parents who see some of the statistics as "nothing short of shameful".

Ms Smith asks if Mr Swinney agrees with some of the teachers that falling teacher numbers get in the way of the job they are trying to do.

The Tory MSP asks if the education secretary accepts that teacher training is not good enough and that there is a lack of data.

Mr Swinney says he has acknowledged that the statistics are not good enough and need to change. 

The education secretary says one of his first priorities was to reduce bureaucracy in schools and he sent in inspectors to do just that.

He says the government has embarked on a project of expanding the data that is collected.

Image source, bbc

Mr Swinney says the latest phase of reform is only now starting to come into force, with £120 million given to headteachers to spend on improving attainment just last month, the outcome of the governance review expected next month and the introduction of standardised assessments later this year. 

The cabinet secretary says "These actions will not deliver an overnight solution: it will take time before we see their full effect.  

"However, it is clear we must stay the course and continue to make the changes that are necessary to strengthen Scottish education.   

"This requires an unwavering focus on improving Scotland’s education system for every child and we are doing exactly that."

Mr Swinney says: "At a time when many young people are sitting examinations, we should also acknowledge the progress we have seen in results in the national qualifications. 

"In 2016, the number of Advanced Higher passes reached a record high, while the number of Higher passes was second only to the 2015 record."

He says: "A record proportion of young people from Scotland’s most deprived communities are continuing their education, entering training, or getting a job after they leave school - 88.7% of school leavers from these communities went into a positive initial destination in 2015/16 – the highest ever proportion and up from 83.9% in 2011/12."

The minister says: "These reforms will provide teachers and schools with the tools – through the literacy benchmarks and the standardised assessments  - and the resources – through the Scottish Attainment Challenge and Pupil Equity Fund – they need to improve literacy. " 

The minister says there has been increasing investment and support in the early years.

Mr Swinney says the government is building the capacity of the teaching workforce.

He says it is developing targeted interventions for schools.

The education secretary says from April this year £120m is being provided directly to Headteachers to use for activities and interventions that will lead to improvements in literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing in their schools. 

Mr Swinney outlines the development of the National Improvement Framework to give data reflecting the progress of children.

The education secretary says the government has significantly streamlined the volume of advice and guidance.

He says 85% of the content that had been on the Education Scotland online service for the curriculum and assessment has now been removed.  

Mr Swinney says there are four key areas where education must improve: 

• the need to get better at tracking the progress of each individual pupil over the course of their school career 
• the need to be clearer about the standards expected in our classrooms 
• too much well-meaning, but over-bearing, guidance has been produced nationally, locally and sometimes in schools themselves
• the need to ensure literacy skills are fully embedded across the curriculum

Education Secretary John Swinney says :"Whilst the results show a generally stable position in performance between 2014 and 2016, the statistics also show a drop in writing performance for S2 pupils which is of particular concern."

Image source, Thinkstock

The literacy skills of Scottish school pupils have fallen over the past four years, according to figures published by the Scottish government, external.

The Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy found that less than half of Scotland's 13 and 14-year-olds are now performing well in writing.

P4 and P7 pupils also saw a drop in writing performance.

The reading ability of P4, P7 and S2 pupils remains broadly similar to 2014 - but lower than 2012.

And there has been no reduction in the big gap between the performance of the country's wealthiest and most deprived pupils.

Read more here.

Education Secretary John Swinney will now give a ministerial statement on improving literacy in Scottish education.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur thanks the justice secretary for the constructive way he has worked with himself and Tavish Scott on issues on the islands.

Mr McArthur asks for a guarantee from Mr Matheson that people will not have to travel off the island for a forensic examination. 

Mr Matheson says that there is no doubt that a woman having to travel off-island for a forensic medical examintation is "utterly unacceptable". 

The justice secretary says he expects standards to be delivered across the country by all health boards. 

Image source, bbc

Green MSP John Finnie says it is not just recruitment that is an issue but retention of forensic examiners.

Mr Finnie asks if the minister will encourage the Crown Office representative on the Taskforce to ensure retention.

Mr Matheson says Mr Finnie raises a valid point and says that is why he stressed the importance of sustainability.

The justice secretary says detailed work must provide this sustainable model.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says "Rape Crisis Scotland play an invaluable role" and that the government provides funding to this organisation to make sure it can offer a wider service.

Mr Matheson says Rape Crisis Scotland is on the taskforce. 

Image source, bbc

The justice secretary says current health and justice response for victims of rape and sexual assault in Scotland will be transformed.

Mr Matheson was updating MSPs on the newly established Taskforce for the Improvement of Services for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault – led by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Catherine Calderwood.    

He said: "Ministers have empowered the Taskforce, through the CMO’s leadership, to be bold in looking at different models of service and to ensure delivery relevant to each location.

“Rape Crisis Scotland will be part of the group and the CMO will publish the Taskforce’s work plan after the summer to clearly communicate how work will be driven forward.”

The Taskforce for the Improvement of Services for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault, external will meet again in June and Scottish Ministers will be receiving bi-annual progress reports.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Claire Baker says sadly the failings identified in the fairly damning HMIC report are not new.

Ms Baker asks when the working group will conclude and the improvements will be implemented.

The justice secretary says the model that is delivered must be health centred and sensitive.

Mr Matheson says the model must be sustainable with a steady flow of female clinicians going into training to be able to carry out forensic examinations.

He says the taskforce recognises the urgency in taking this forward.

Tory MSP Douglas Ross says a "catalogue of failures" have been reported and the service is well behind the rest of the UK.

Mr Ross asks how improvements will be made in Orkney and how the government have sought to understand the lack of female forensic examiners.

Mr Matheson says the strategic leadership within health boards have not ensured that minimum standards are applied and the national standards framework should help them to understand what is required.

He says there is ongoing discussions to improve the service in Orkney. 

Mr Matheson says there needs to be a model that reflects the different geographical needs in each area. 

Some rape victims in the Northern Isles do not report it because they have to travel to the mainland without washing for forensic examination, it was claimed in January.

Rape Crisis Scotland is calling for specialist facilities to be made available in Orkney and Shetland.

Support workers say it would spare victims the ordeal of travelling by boat or plane under police escort.

Image source, Science Photo Library

The Scottish government said forensic facilities were being reviewed.

Rape Crisis Scotland , externalsaid the lack of forensic examination facilities in Orkney or Shetland was adding to the trauma women had already suffered.

Read more here.