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A new report warning about the challenges around the delivery of the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) was highlighted by Scottish Conservative education spokesperson Liz Smith.

The report from Professor Jim Scott of Dundee University says the CfE has had a "significant negative impact" on children's attainment.

Ms Smith told the chamber attainment in Highers had fallen for four years in a row.

Education Secretary John Swinney hit back, refuting the claim that the attainment gap was widening.

He argued that the gap at Higher level had fallen every single year for the last eight years.

Labour's Iain Gray insisted the problems lay with the management and structures of the CfE, while Lib Dem Beatrice Wishart called on the government to "fix what is wrong".

Read more here.

Scottish Conservative interim leader Jackson Carlaw asks if the first minister now accepts that there has been a decline in subject choices since the Curriculum for Excellence was introduced.

"No I don't," replies Nicola Sturgeon.

The first minister argues that there is a wide variety of choice on offer and says a higher proportion of young people are leaving school with level 5 qualifications.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf says the Scottish Prison Service is in the final stage of purchase negotiations for a site to replace Barlinnie.

The SNP plans to submit a planning application by the end of 2019, he says.

Mr Kerr highlights serious problems with overcrowding but warns against releasing prisoners early as a solution.

"We are not going to en masse release prisoners," replies Mr Yousaf.

He urges the Tories to get behind the "progressive justice policy" pursued by the Scottish government and indeed the rest of the chamber.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr seeks an update on the replacement for HMP Barlinnie.

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A replacement for Glasgow's Barlinnie Prison is expected by 2025.

Holyrood's Justice Committee heard a deal to buy the land is in its final stages and will be fully funded by the Scottish government.

Plans to sell the current site, which opened in 1882, and re-locate to another area in the city or its surroundings were announced last year.

Overcrowding is a major problem in Barlinnie and in April the 987-capacity jail had a population of 1,449.

And it was revealed last week that three men had died in the space of four days at the prison.

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Nicola Sturgeon faces first minister's questions at noon, after general questions.

Then SNP MSP George Adam highlights calls to recognise veterans who served in the nuclear test programme in the 1950s and 1960s.

After lunch, rural economy ministers face portfolio questions.

Then MSPs debate the Referendums Bill (also known as the indyref2 'framework' bill) for the first time.

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Committee convener Joan McAlpine says: "I would like to congratulate you on the new channel as well."

She adds she has heard good feedback on it and asks if enough money is being spent on it.

"Do you think that you could do a lot more with more than £12m?"

"Always," replies Donalda MacKinnon.

The director of BBC Scotland adds she is keen to do all that she can to maintain the new service but is mindful of all of BBC Scotland.

The committee moves into private session.

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The new BBC Scotland channel broadcast for the first time on 24 February

A specially-commissioned short film featuring Scottish band Chvrches and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra opened proceedings.

Chvrches' singer Lauren Mayberry was the first voice to be heard on the channel, performing the band's song Miracle accompanied by images of Scottish people, places and landscapes.

The channel intended to feature hundreds of hours of newly-commissioned programmes.

BBC Scotland Director Donalda MacKinnon predicted the new television channel would be a success over time.

• Read more here
• Where to find the new BBC Scotland TV channel
• New programmes announced for BBC Scotland TV channel

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A nightly news hour The Nine and Question Time-style series called Debate Night heads up the current affairs offering.

The flagship news programme - The Nine - reports regional, national and international news from a Scottish perspective.

It is anchored by Martin Geissler and Rebecca Curran, with Laura Miller and John Beattie presenting the news hour each Friday.

• Meet the news stars of BBC Scotland's The Nine
• Stephen Jardine to host new Scottish Question Time show

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson also expresses concerns about whether Politics Scotland will continue during the election campaign.

Mr Gibson asks who would have made such a decision about this.

The director of BBC Scotland replies: "I would like to establish, Mr Gibson, if indeed that decision has been made."

Who would make a decision about Politics Scotland, asks the convener.

Ms MacKinnon says it would be the head of news and current affairs in Scotland, but she does not think he would make the decision without talking to her.

Mr Greer says he took part in a debate on Good Morning Scotland with a staff member from Spiked, who are funded by Coke, and when he revealed that on the programme Spiked were not happy.

If a body is unwilling to disclose who funds them, should they be invited onto BBC programmes he asks.

Ms MacKinnon says she would have to understand what the context was but says all staff are expected to follow the BBC's guidelines on this.

Mr Greer suggests that if a group refuses to disclose information about who funds it, presumably invites onto programmes would not be extended or would be withdrawn.

"I would say so," replies Ms MacKinnon.

However, Steve Carson says he is unsure there could be a blanket rule because it may cut off a valid political debate.

He uses Northern Ireland as an example, where funding for political parties is still kept a secret for security reasons.

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Mr Greer pivots to the appearance on the BBC of what he calls "dark money thinktanks" like the Taxpayers' Alliance and the Institute of Economic Affairs, who don't disclose their funding.

The Green MSP says the director general wrote to him to say the guidelines had changed, which was welcome.

He says the new guidelines shouldn't assume thinktanks are unbiased and their sources of funding should be disclosed, but he has not seen one instance of this.

"What is the purpose of BBC guidelines if they are not being implemented?"

Donald MacKinnon replies they should be implemented and if they are not and there is evidence then she is very happy to look into that.

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan calls for the SNP to be represented on any leaders' debate programmes.

I will ensure we give fair and appropriate representation to all parties and we are working through our plans this very minute, replies Ms MacKinnon.

The convener presses for more information on election coverage but the director says it would be inappropriate to comment since planning is ongoing.

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Alexander Stewart asks about BBC Alba and the increase in programming.

However the Tory MSP points to a decrease in education and children's programming and asks about investment in that area.

Donald MacKinnon says at the time of the 10th anniversary of the channel there was a decision to create more children's programming.

The director of BBC Scotland explains a new approach has been taken and origination is now the priority.

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The BBC's director-general Tony Hall announced in February 2017 that Scotland would get its own TV channel.

In June last year, TV regulator Ofcom gave the go-ahead for the channel, which has an initial budget of £32m.

The plan is to air 50% original content and 50% repeats.

Hall said he wanted the channel to reflect modern Scotland.

He said: "It's a channel that will be bold, creative and ambitious, with a brand-new Scotland-edited international news programme at its heart."

What proportion of work goes to outside companies and what is kept in house, asks Mr Rumbles.

Outside of news, a significant proportion is done out of house, replies Steve Carson.

Encouraging home grown talent is in the DNA of all our services, he insists.

Ms MacKinnon highlights apprenticeship schemes, the journalism trainee scheme and a partnership with the National Film & Television School.