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The Scottish government has ordered a full review of the senior phase of education in secondary schools.

The move follows a critical report by MSPs on the Scottish Parliament's education committee, who examined how S4, S5 and S6 work.

They found there had been a narrowing of the subject choices which were on offer for some pupils.

Education Secretary John Swinney said the review would identify any areas for improvement.

• MSPs call for 'urgent action' over school subject choice
• Scottish Conservatives call for 'reset' of Curriculum for Excellence
• Fears over fall in number of courses offered in Scottish schools
• Read more here

The Tory MSP moves on to say there is great work in science in schools and adds science does not have to be particularly complicated to be interesting.

He says it would be remiss not to highlight the importance of subject choice, where at least in some schools science subjects are feeling the squeeze.

There are also challenges in recruiting and retaining teachers in STEM subjects and there are concerns about multi level teaching, he adds.

"This should worry us all."

Mr Mundell pleas for all parties and all governments to listen to experts, saying he thinks the Scottish government can be as guilty as other governments of cherry picking advice.

Famously, three weeks before the EU referendum, Mr Gove said "people in this country have had enough of experts" in an interview with Sky News, external.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight later, he said he was mostly referring to economists when he made the remarks.

Tory MSP Oliver Mundell says there is not a great deal to disagree with during this debate.

He says there is "a lot to celebrate" in terms of Scotland's science and research sector, ranging from spaceports to pharmaceuticals.

We must invest in and value science because of the economic benefits it brings he adds.

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A major United Nations climate change summit will take place in Glasgow.

The UK has won the bid to host the 26th Conference of the Parties, known as COP26, following a partnership with Italy.

Up to 30,000 delegates are expected to attend the event at Glasgow's Scottish Events Campus (SEC) at the end of next year.

It is designed to produce an international response to the climate emergency.

Read more here.

Image source, VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

Mr Lochhead says science is very much an intrinsic part of our daily lives.

The minister highlights the Scotland is Now campaign, external and says his vision is for Scotland to be recognised around the globe as a science and research nation.

He details Scottish strengths in the sector and says we must ensure our excellence in academia supports our public services.

The minister points to the COP26 summit to be held in Glasgow, which he says is an amazing opportunity to showcase Scotland's science and research.

Mr Lochhead says whatever happens with Brexit, there needs to be an effort to maintain science and research collaboration with our European partners.

Tory MSP Oliver Mundell says leaving a deal with the EU would be the best outcome from Brexit.

The minister replies the best deal for science and researchers would be not leaving the EU.

If we are to leave, we need a better deal than is on the table at the moment to ensure initiatives like Horizon 2020 continue to benefit Scotland Mr Lochhead insists.

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Last December, BBC Scotland reported academics and researchers from the EU may be leaving their jobs because of Brexit, according to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

The body, which helps fund colleges and universities, says there is "anecdotal evidence" EU staff are finding or considering new roles.

More than a fifth of teaching and research staff are EU nationals.

The SFC also said any fall in the number of EU students could lead to changes for the courses on offer.

Read more.

Image source, Scottish Science Advisory Council

The science minister says Scotland continues to be a global leader in research and says the the Science Landscape report , externalshows we are punching above our weight.

The report says Scotland is a very strong research performer in the UK context.

In 2015, Scotland accounted for 10% of the UK researcher population and produced 12% of the UK research output.

Mr Lochhead stresses the importance of STEM subjects and says we can be proud of Scottish researchers.

Science Minister Richard Lochhead says in such confusing times, it is perhaps more important than ever to back Scotland's science sector in establishing facts.

The science sector is a cultural good and experts should be respected, he adds.

The minister also points to economic benefits from research, particularly in areas such as agriculture.

Science Minister Richard Lochhead is leading this afternoon's debate on the science sector.

Here is his motion...

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Tory MSP Liam Kerr welcomes the provision relating to transferring parole in Scotland involving victims more but he asks if this provision will be extended to temporary release.

It is important we don't conflate the two, replies Mr Yousaf.

Labour MSP James Kelly says the Victims Surcharge Fund is welcome and asks how we can ensure all eligible people can access it.

The justice secretary pledges to work with Victim Support Scotland to achieve this through marketing and awareness raising.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf says a range of initiatives are being taken forward, such as the victim surcharge fund being introduced this week.

A financial penalty is being imposed on all criminals who are sentenced to pay a court fine and the money raised will be banked in the Victim Surcharge Fund.

Ms Mackay asks about practical support the victim surcharge fund could pay for.

The cabinet secretary says the fund is to be as flexible as possible to pay for anything from security measures in response to break ins to counselling for bereavement.

SNP MSP Rona Mackay asks how the government is improving the experiences of victims in the justice system.

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Further and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead replies the current industrial action is of course unwelcome news, but universities are autonomous institutions.

It is not for the Scottish government to intervene, but he expects management and the unions to find a settlement.

Mr Greer calls on the minister to do nothing to undermine the union during this strike action, accusing the government of doing that during the last colleges strike.

Of course the unions are acting within their rights, but he wants all sides to get around the negotiation table, says Mr Lochhead.

Mr Greer asks if it is acceptable for any worker to receive a pay cut of 20% while their workload explodes.

The minister accepts staff have the right to act through their unions when they have a grievance.

Green MSP Ross Greer asks about University and College Union members who are striking over pay, working conditions and pensions.

Image source, PA Media

An eight-day strike affecting 12 Scottish universities began on Monday.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) are disputing pay, working conditions and pensions.

Staff joined picket lines at entrances as a further 48 universities across the UK take action.

Umbrella body Universities UK said institutions would do all they could to minimise the effects of the strikes on students and other staff.

Read more.

Image source, bbc

Father Leonard Chiti, from the Province of Zambia and Malawi Jesuits and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund Integral Human Development Committee, is delivering today's time for reflection.

After lunch, topical questions focus on university strikes and the experience of victims in the justice system.

MSPs will then celebrate the science and research sector in a debate titled "Scotland as a science nation".

Labour MSP Elaine Smith leads a members debate on Catholic schools to end the day.

Simon Stockwell says court is not the best place to go in many cases, which is why the government is looking to improve guidance around this.

Mediation or other forms of dispute resolution are often better but these should be encouraged through guidance rather than as a provision in the bill, he suggests.

The committee moves into private session.