Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Iain Gray says the education committee held a focus group with 10 teachers in Dunfermline and they did not feel they were in the lead with the curriculum.

Mr Gray adds they spoke about multi-level teaching in the three year phase and he says in many instances there is four-level teaching with N4, N5, Higher and Advanced Higher all being taught together.

The education secretary points out there is a range of options between schools for Advanced Highers ensuring the curriculum offer is there.

Mr Gray argues there are more differences than the number of subjects being offered at S4, with some schools still offering the 2+2+2 system.

The teachers he spoke to don't feel empowered but embattled points out Mr Gray and he denies this debate is political opportunism.

Jamie McIvor
BBC Scotland education correspondent

Image source, bbc

It is no surprise that different schools use the new qualifications in different ways.

That was an intentional part of the new qualifications system, and individual schools and councils took decisions on what they believed was right for their local circumstances.

The most popular curricular model allows students to obtain up to six qualifications in S4.

However, a significant number of schools offer seven - while smaller numbers offer five, eight or even routinely avoid presenting candidates for qualifications in S4.

Read more here

Image source, Getty Images

State schools in Scotland are cutting the number of exams pupils are allowed to sit, according to new research.

Reform Scotland says the number of National 4 and 5 courses which schoolchildren can take has reduced in recent years.

The situation has been described as the "unintended consequence" of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) by critics.

The Scottish government insisted it is the qualifications which pupils leave school with that matter the most.

Read more here

Image source, Getty Images

Back in February we reported the education committee would investigate whether teenagers have a wide enough choice of subjects at school.

This committee is examining what effect the range of subjects on offer has on young people and whether choice has narrowed.

At most schools, students in fourth year get the chance to do six or seven qualifications. Occasionally, they get the chance to do only five.

The committee has sought evidence from parents, teachers and students.

Read more here

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says many MSPs have been calling for a review of CfE for some time.

He criticises the education secretary for labeling today's debate political opportunism because responding to concerns about the issue is simply doing his job.

No one is arguing today for a 90 degree swing of the wheel, but some change is need the Lib Dem argues.

Seven subject choices creates space for young people to take up music, languages and more he adds.

Mr Scott says it is important to reflect on the implementation of CfE and he suggests Education Scotland's role lacks clarity.

Image source, PA

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was asked about subject choice at her weekly Holyrood question session last week, and insisted that the education system was "performing well".

She said that "our focus must be on the whole school experience, the range of qualifications that are achieved and the destinations of young people when they leave school".

In exchanges with Tory MSP Liz Smith, she said: "I hope that everyone in the chamber accepts that it is not simply the qualifications that young people get in S4 that count, but the qualifications that they get across the three years.

"This is what I say to parents - the evidence shows that more young people are going to university, including more young people from our deprived communities.

"The evidence suggests, contrary to the assertion that young people, particularly those in deprived communities, are somehow being disadvantaged, that the attainment gap is closing. That is the reverse of the concern that Liz Smith raises."

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Ross Greer says on average pupils in some of our most deprived communities pupils are being offered 17 Higher choices and in the least deprived 23 subjects are on offer, according to recent research.

Mr Greer adds: "Education Scotland flat out refuses to accept there is an issue here."

He calls on the government to instruct Education Scotland to gather data to inform this issue.

There is a shortage of specialist teachers and while the pay deal will go some way to tackling recruitment and retention issues, but it is only part of what needs to be done, argues the Scottish Greens education spokesperson.

The Green MSP concludes saying something isn't working and the Tory motion only calls on the government to recognise the problems that are emerging, adding they should swallow their pride and do so.

Mr Swinney says there a range of indicators suggesting more pupils are going on to positive destinations.

The Labour MSP retorts that positive destinations include zero hours contracts, adding he would not consider this positive.

This is not just about S4 and national exams, Mr Gray states, suggesting pupils are being asked to restrict their choices at a younger age.

He welcomes the Scottish government's support for his amendment.

Image source, bbc

Last week the education committee heard from academics on subject choice.

Professor Jim Scott from the University of Dundee told MSPs

• Roughly half of Scotland's secondary schools are doing six courses in S4
• 'I really find it difficult to say there is any improvement at all'
• There isn't a 'here is how it's going' in CfE and called for a mid-session review

Image source, bbc

Dr Alan Britton from Glasgow University said:

• education governance accountability remains opaque

William Hardie from the Royal Society of Edinburgh said:

• multi-course teaching is a particular issue in the sciences

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Iain Gray begins by pointing out the Scottish government's amendment says, in essence, we should not be debating subject choice today.

Mr Gray does not buy this as parliament has been asking Mr Swinney to take this issue seriously for years.

He says the government rubbished evidence from Dr Scott in 2015, but four years later Dr Scott is now Professor Scott and his evidence has grown year on year.

There has been a reduction in subject choice, insists the Scottish Labour education spokesperson, and he details the statistics that illustrate this.

Professor Scott is telling us certain subjects will disappear altogether, for example some modern languages, Mr Gray adds.

The amendment from Scottish Labour calls for an evaluation of curriculum for excellence implementation.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Mr Swinney points to the higher number of qualifications attained by young people in recent years and an improvement in numbers of people going on to positive destinations.

Labour MSP Johann Lamont calls for a review of what constitutes a positive destination, because often it includes zero hours contracts and insecure work.

The cabinet secretary says he is engaging with this issue.

Turning back to the substance of the debate, he highlights the education committee has not yet finished gathering evidence.

He confirms his party will back Labour's amendment, which calls for an evaluation of CfE.