The Finance and Constitution Committee takes evidence on the Brexit continuity bill
MSPs quiz education ministers during portfolio questions
MSPs back the general principles of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill.
The member's debate focuses on electronic and internet voting
Mr Swinney says it is for education authorities to ensure they have the resources in place to support their pupils.
Mr Smyth asks if the cabinet secretary takes any responsibility of the reducation in additonal support needs staff.
The education secretary says the classifcations have changed radically.
He disagrees with Mr Smyth saying there has been an increase in additional support needs staff.
Labour MSP Colin Smyth asks the Scottish government what change it forecasts in the number of support for learning staff in schools in the next year.
Further and Higher Education Minister Shirley Anne-Somerville
Further and Higher Education Minister Shirley Anne-Somerville says the merger is being considered to better integrate the curriculum.
However, she recognises trade union concerns but says they will be discussed in great detail at tripartite meetings.
Labour MSP Rhoda Grant asks the Scottish government what discussions it has had with trade unions regarding the merger of UHI colleges.
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Image source, bbcLabour MSP says spend per pupil has reduced
Educaton Secretary John Swinney says funding to local authorities has been fair and is inreasing despite cuts to the Scottish budget
Mr Swinney says local authority funding has increased from £4.9bn in 2010/11 to £5.1 in 2016/17
Mr Gray cites a report that says there has been a reduction in real terms of spend per pupil in schools which has had a detrimental impact on children's education.
The education secretary hits back saying there has been a 4.9% increase in education spending.
Labour MSP Iain Gray asks the government whether it will comment on the trends in spending on schools since 2010-11.
Education Secretary John Swinney says all staff in schools share a responsibility to identify wellbeing needs of children.
This may include school-based counselling or pastoral care, he adds.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon
Ms Lennon says 51,000 children live with a problem drinker in Scotland.
She argues access to school-based counselling should be an option for all.
The cabinet secretary says health and wellbeing is central to the curriculum for excellence.
He adds that work is ongoing to focus public services on being able to support children.
Image source, Science Photo libraryAlcohol Focus Scotland said there was "clear evidence" that exposure to alcohol marketing led children to start drinking at a younger age
Children are exposed to "unacceptably high levels" of alcohol marketing through sports sponsorship and public adverts, according to a report.
Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) said there was "clear evidence" that exposure to alcohol marketing led children to start drinking at a younger age.
It has called for the Scottish government to take action.
AFS is calling for a ban on alcohol adverts in streets, sports grounds and public transport, alcohol sponsorship of sport, music and cultural events, and restrictions on adverts in newspapers and on social media.
It is also pressing the UK government to restrict TV alcohol advertising between 06:00 and 23:00 and cinema advertising to 18-certificate films.
Organisations including Children 1st, the Scottish Cancer Prevention Network and the medical Royal Colleges are supporting the AFS campaign.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon asks how schools support children and young people who are affected by alcohol harm.
Tory MSP Brian Whittle asks the government what consideration it gives to the provision of teaching life skills as part of the school curriculum.
Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne
Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne says only 100 childminders are commissioned for childcare by councils.
She asks how the government will work to include more childminders in the expansion of early learning and childcare.
Ms Todd says the government will work with local authorities and childminders to identify barriers to commissioning childminder services.
Image source, bbcChildcare and Early Years Minister Maree Todd
Childcare and Early Years Minister Maree Todd highlights the grant funding for childminders.
Mr McMillan asks how childminders will help deliver the 1,140 childcare hours target.
Ms Todd says she expects childminders to play a full role in achieving that target.
She highlights the Your Childminding Journey website, external.
SNP MSP Stuart McMillan asks what support the government is giving to registered childminders.
Tory MSP Finlay Carson
Tory MSP Finlay Carson asks about steps to recruit teachers in Dumfries & Galloway.
Mr Swiney says places have been expanded, meaning 250 people have been put in post that would not have otherwise.
He also points to steps to increase the inflow of people into teaching.
Image source, Teach in ScotlandTeaching Makes People Campaign
Mr Swinney says the Teaching Makes People Campaign, external has seen 3,500 attending events with 42,000 visits to the website.
The education secretary says there has been a 7.5% increase in student teacher numbers, with 543 more teachers in 2017.
Mr Swinney acknowledges the challenges being faced in recruiting teachers in STEM subjects.
He highlights the STEM bursaries he announced last October and he says applications will be available to be completed from April.
Image source, bbcTwo more Scottish universities are to offer teacher training courses.
The move has been announced by Education Secretary John Swinney in a bid to tackle a recruitment crisis in the profession.
The Scottish government said it was providing £1.3m to create hundreds more opportunities for people to qualify as teachers.
Edinburgh's Queen Margaret and Napier universities will train new recruits from 2019.
Image source, Getty ImagesLast November we reported official figures confirmed many places in teacher training in Scotland had not been taken up.
In September, BBC Scotlandrevealed that a large proportion of places were unfilled.
Scottish Funding Council figures show that more than half of the target number of training places for maths teachers are empty.
Overall only seven out of 10 places for people who want to be secondary teachers have been filled.
Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton asks the Scottish Government what impact its most recent teacher recruitment campaign has had.
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