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The new Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) model in Scottish schools has had a "significant negative impact" on children's attainment, a new report claims.

In it Professor Jim Scott of Dundee University claims that if the full extent of CfE was known in 2006, it would have been delayed or even cancelled.

Looking at national, local authority and individual school data, he found attainment in Scottish national qualification levels three to five in S4 pupils has dropped by at least 32.9% for each level since CfE was introduced in 2013.

Prof Scott also found the number of Higher passes in S5 has dropped by 10% in the past four years - a reduction, the report claims, "Scotland cannot afford".

According to Prof Scott, every set of learners has seen a negative impact, but the worst affected pupils were those who are "less than average".

Tory MSP Liz Smith begins by referring to an OECD report in 2015 which praised the approach to holistic learning taken by the curriculum for excellent (CfE)

This report also warned about challenges around the delivery of CfE, she says.

The traditional measures of attainment still matter and there has been a fall in the numbers of pupils sitting core qualifications, Ms Smith says.

The Tory MSP says her party has three key concerns:

1. a downward shift in subject choices away from STEM, languages and social subjects
2. a decline in attainment in several key areas of literacy and numeracy
3. Prof Jim Scott's evidence that the least able pupils are losing out most

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur tries to raise a point of order relating to the preceding debate on ferries, but is cut short by deputy presiding officer Christine Grahame who says it is not one.

His colleague Mike Rumbles repeatedly tries to raise a point of order calling for consistency in this approach of interrupting a point of order before the speaker has concluded.

The deputy presiding officer asks Mr Rumbles to sit down repeatedly and says that his point of order is not a point of order.

Mr Rumbles persists and says: "Consistency is important."

Ms Grahame says she will discuss with other presiding officers what has been said.

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Tory MSP Liz Smith will now lead a debate warning that recent analysis of the curriculum for excellence draws the conclusion that the attainment gap is widening and highlights failures in the delivery.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Mr McArthur argues island communities are being left more vulnerable and businesses are being negatively impacted.

The Lib Dem MP says the Scottish government needs to face up to its responsibilities in relation to Orkney's internal ferry fleet and stop short changing the islands.

It must stop putting down amendments that gloss over these concerns and paint a picture that everything is rosy, he adds, telling the chamber his party will back the Tory motion.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says he recognises the public concerns raised in the Tory debate motion.

The internal ferry services in Orkney already fall below the minimum standards set out in the government's ferry plan in terms of cost, frequency and accessibility suggests Mr McArthur.

Each transport appraisal has repeatedly highlighted the need for new vessels, he says.

He says the draft islands plan was published last month offers little in terms of assurances about improvements.

A hotel owner has hit out at the impact of disruption on one of Scotland's busiest ferry routes.

The failure of both linkspans at Ardrossan means vehicles cannot be transferred from the ferry to the offloading ramp.

This means the route between the North Ayrshire port and Brodick on the Isle of Arran has been left passenger-only.

Local businesses said the disruption was costing them valuable trade.

Read more.

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Green MSP John Finnie points out the government does acknowledge the inconveniences caused and stresses the importance of lifeline ferry services.

Mr Finnie says he has used the ferries on a number of occasions, which were always on time and were accompanied by good service.

He questions the Tories taking the baseline of 2007 for this debate citing neglect over a number of decades.

The Green MSP commends the Scottish government for introducing RET and taking the Ferguson Marine shipyard into public ownership.

"Is everything great? No. Is everything awful? No."

The Labour MSP welcomes the Scottish government stepping in to support Ferguson Marine but expresses concern that no plan has been released.

Without proper ferry links, it prevents citizens from accessing healthcare, employment, education and more, Mr Smyth states.

More than ever we need a modern ferry network to service island needs and for a strong ship building sector.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth says a lack of capacity and resilience, caused by reliance on an ageing fleet, has impacted reliability.

He also highlights that the ageing fleet means vessels are withdrawn for maintenance for longer.

We need a long-term ferry strategy more than ever, including a plan for replacements he insists.

Mr Smyth says a clear programme of work would also provide certainty for the ship building sector and encourage yards to invest.

Mr Wheelhouse points out there is continued support for subsidised ferries in the budget for 2019/20.

He says five of the last six orders for new vessels have been awarded to Scottish yards.

The minister argues that jobs will be safeguarded through public ownership of Ferguson Marine shipyard.

Mr Wheelhouse says the next ferries plan will be taken forward by Transport Scotland, CMAL and CalMac.

Islands Minister Paul Wheelhouse emphasises the performance in 2019 has already improved, even taking into account any sailings not going ahead due to weather.

Only 0.67% of sailings did not go ahead due to technical failings in this period, he adds.

Mr Wheelhouse goes on to detail funding to improve the resilience of the fleet and related ferry infrastructure.

This investment includes a roll out of the road equivalent tariff scheme to reduce fares, he adds.

Mr Greene says the staff on the ferry services are working in a very difficult environment and are doing the best they can with the assets they have.

The Tory MSP asks the minister to explain why Derek Mackay's promise of a detailed plan and costings for replacement vessels has not materialised.

Mr Greene also asks why there has been no explanation for this.

He argues the minister knows that the status quo is not acceptable to islanders.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene begins by saying Scotland's ferry service is under tremendous pressure.

We are fast approaching winter when the resilience of ferries will be pushed to their limit, he adds.

Connectivity to the islands is important to those communities, the Tory MSP states, but in recent years the number of delays and cancellations has "skyrocketed".

Islands Minister Paul Wheelhouse says the latest figures show a significant improvement in reliability this year.

You are looking at the last 9 months, I am looking at the last 12 years retorts Mr Greene.

Image source, CalMac

In May, a boss at Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) said the spell of disruption to the company's ferry services is the "worst for seven years".

The problems had been caused by repairs to the ferry MV Clansman having taken longer than expected.

An alternative timetable was in place, with widespread disruption across CalMac's west coast routes.

Robbie Drummond said staff have been working "absolutely flat out" to try and lessen the impact on customers.

Read more.

Tory MSP Jamie Green leads the first of two Tory debates, this one focusing on ferries.

His motion, below, highlights delayed and cancellations, ageing vessels and the late arrival of new vessels.

Image source, Scottish Parliament