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Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says this has been an important debate because there is merit in the proposals the cabinet secretary is making, but there are concerns too.

They are principally based on the evidence raised in the Education Committee last year, he says.

Mr Scott says teacher vacancies, the need for more classroom assisants and resources are all really significant issues.

He says schools must be at the heart of any reforms and he says school clusters work effectively.

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SNP MSP Clare Adamson congratulates Tom Mason on his maiden speech.

Ms Adamson encourages people to contribute to the consultation.

She says the governance review is about school and teacher led education with the pupil at its centre and the decisions being taken closest to them.

In his maiden speech, Tory MSP Tom Mason pays tribute to his predecessor MP Ross Thomson and the late Alex Johnstone.

Mr Mason says that he is still a councillor in Aberdeen but that he will be donating that salary to two charities.

The Tory MSP says the north east of Scotland has been his home to 45 years and that it is one of the "beating hearts of the Scottish economy".

He says he has been involved in the education environment for 25 years and he is happy that John Swinney is listening to what his party have been saying for many years.

Mr Mason says the plans for education governance do not quite go far enough.

SNP MSP Gillian Martin says this governance review will address the individual school's need by giving power to those who know the pupils well.

Ms Martin says she was astounded to learn that not all headteachers were responsible for choosing their own staff because that already happens in Aberdeenshire.

The SNP MSP says the plans do not take powers away from local authorities but are about sharing information across local authorities.

Labour MSP Johann Lamont says there are serious problems in education which have been stressed by stakeholders.

Ms Lamont says Mr Swinney accuses others of talking Scottish education down but that this debate is so important that she is prepared to run that risk.

The Labour MSP says there is no evidence that these plans will increase resources to tackle teacher workload.

She says she is yet to hear anyone arguing for more bureaucracy or more power for Education Scotland which is what Mr Swinney's plans will achieve.

Ms Lamont says there must be a balance for where power lies and there will be no impact without proper resources.

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Last November we reported that the Scottish Conservatives said Scotland's education agencies may not be fit for purpose.

They have called for a major reform of Education Scotland, claiming it suffers from a conflict of interest.

The government agency was criticised by a majority of teachers who responded to a survey for Holyrood's Education Committee.

Education secretary John Swinney said it was important to listen to the criticism and reflect upon it.

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In January we reported that urgent work was needed to rebuild the relationship between Scotland's teachers and the country's exam body.

Education Committee said it had heard "eye-opening" accounts of unclear guidance and mistakes in exam papers.

A survey of teachers carried out by the committee suggested two-thirds had little trust in the SQA.

Its report made a series of recommendations for improvement.

Read more here.

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Education Committee convener James Dornan says he looks following to seeing the detail of the proposals.

Mr Dornan says the committee has rigorously examined the roles of the education agencies.

He says the broader reforms represent big changes to the structure of education.

Labour MSP Daniel Johnson asks why the committee's criticism of the SQA and Education Scotland are barely mentioned.

SNP MSP James Dornan again says he is looking forward to hearing the detail from the cabinet secretary before the commitee.

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Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour says he hopes this has not been a missed opportunity.

The Tory MSP says the system to be established must last a generation.

He says the regional hubs will report to the minister, which must mean there is a top-heavy structure.

Mr Balfour asks how can you have localism with a one model fits all.

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SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth says enhanced career and devlopment opportunities, the first pillar of support being offered to teachers, is so important.

The former teacher says the collaboratives should be used to support staff to improve attainment.

She says headteachers are the lead learners in school and they must be entrusted with control.

The SNP MSP says school leaders can make a difference if they are granted autonomy to make important decisions.

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Mr Scott says there should be an independent inspectorate not part of Education Scotland.

Mr Scott says the enhanced role of headteachers does not recognise that, in some areas, headteachers also teach.

The Lib Dem MSP says these proposals have to be "island proofed".

He says it cannot make sense for Education Scotland be in charge of regional structures and that it would take a brave headteacher to take a different view when they know that Education Scotland will also carry out inspections.

Mr Scott asks who Education Scotland is accountable too.

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Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says the years before school dictate what will happen to every girl and boy.

Mr Scott says the attainment gap derives from deprivation.

He says youth and community work is essential in tackling socio-economic factors.

Childcare and Early Years Mark Macdonald says the vocabulary gap is being addressed by expanding early years support.

Mr Scott says it would also help if the government had held to keeping class sizes short in the early years.

Here is the Lib Dem amendment.

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SNP MSP Bob Doris asks if the Greens are proposing that there be no reform and that the status quo is acceptable.

Mr Greer says no one is suggesting that changes are not reuqired.

Mr Doris asks what reforms Mr Greer would like to see.

Mr Greer says "the reversal of a decade of cuts" is what we need and that is the reform he has constantly asked for.

Mr Greer says one of the strengths of the education system is local democratic accountability.

Mr Swinney intervenes to agree decisions should be taken as close to schools as possible.

The Green MSPs says teachers are opposed to what the government is proposing as it undermines local accountability.

He says the reforms create an unnecessary and unwanted reorganisation.

Mr Greer says teachers don't want governance reforms.

Green MSP Ross Greer says if the government is serious about closing the attainment gap it needs to listen.

Mr Greer says the government has been ignoring those who responded to the first consultation and is just "charging ahead".

The Green MSP says there was strong opposition to regional governance proposals.

He asks "who beyond the SNP and Conservatives support these proposals?"

Mr Greer asks why the government are obsessed with governance reform.