Image source, Getty Images

An independent review is to be carried out into whether standardised assessments should continue to given to Scotland's P1 pupils.

Education Secretary John Swinney continues to defend the tests, but said the "independent, evidence-led review" would determine their future.

Opposition parties accused Mr Swinney of "defying" the will of parliament.

MSPs voted for ministers to "halt" the tests earlier this year after criticism from some parents and teachers.

Read more.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton requests an update on the government's response to the vote in the parliament on 19 September 2018 opposing P1 assessments.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Gillian Martin asks the government for an update on what action it is taking to support schoolchildren with mental health issues.

Education Secretary John Swinney says the Scottish governnment is working to strengthen child and adolescent mental health (CAMHs).

Mr Swinney highlights effort to enhance mental health training for key staff.

Ms Martin asks for the latest on the proposal to have a counsellor in every school.

The education secretary says there is work underway to enhance these commitments from the Programme for Government.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pledged an extra £250m for mental health services as she announced her plans for the year at Holyrood.

Image source, bbc/PA/Getty Images

The Scottish Parliament is to formally reject the UK government's draft Brexit deal in a vote this evening at 5pm.

SNP, Labour, Green and Lib Dem members at Holyrood will back a motion rejecting the proposals, as well as the prospect of leaving without any deal.

However, the parties have not come to a consensus on an alternative plan.

The vote will be held as MPs at Westminster continue to debate whether to accept the withdrawal plan agreed between the UK and EU.

Image source, bbc

A majority of MPs must back the proposals if they are to come into force - but the result of Wednesday's vote at Holyrood vote will not be legally binding on anyone.

The SNP, Labour, Greens and Lib Dems came together to pen an agreed motion ahead of the Holyrood debate, saying in a joint statement that it would demonstrate that the "overwhelming view" of MSPs was against the deal.

However, each of the parties will argue for their own preferred alternative plan - while the Scottish Conservatives will vote against the motion, arguing that it is "needless".

Read more here.

Image source, Thinkstock/Getty

MSPs will grill education and skills ministers.

Click here to see all the questions., external

Image source, Getty Images

After lunch, education and skills ministers face portfolio questions.

Then the afternoon will be dominated by a debate on the Brexit agreement, as negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Four of the five parties will unite to vote against this agreement and a no-deal Brexit.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Eight possible scenarios if Theresa May can't get her EU withdrawal deal through Parliament.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Johann Lamont says councils are being disproportionately affected by cuts, so even those who have kept music tuition free have had to make cuts elsewhere.

Mr Swinney insists funding for local government has been fair.

Expect more of this argument in the budget debate next Wednesday, join us for extensive coverage all day!

Ms Lamont asks about headteachers being handed more powers and how this might impact the delivery of the curriculum.

Specifically she suggests a headteacher could choose to focus on one area to become a centre of excellence, to the detriment of other areas.

The education secretary insists headteachers will be expected to deliver a full range of subjects.

The committee draws to a close.

Image source, bbc

Mr Swinney is concerned that the issue of cost is potentially an impediment to some young people.

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott asks if the minister has received any submissions asking for the £4m for music tuition to come from the Scottish government.

Mr Swinney replies that he has not but adds he would not be surprised if they came to him.

The education secretary points out local government do not like ring-fencing so this would affect conversations going forward.

Scottish education would be the poorer if there was a diminution of participation in music, so if a solution cannot be found other approaches will need to be looked at, he adds.

Tory MSP Liz Smith raises the Midlothian situation, external again, suggesting we could end up in a situation with a headteacher could charge parents for the SQA qualification.

I don't think families should be charged for participating in SQA exams, says Mr Swinney.

Midlothian schools are being given discretion on this and that should be considered in a wider discussion on how much control schools have over their finances, he adds.