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International schools advice panel for Scottish government | International schools advice panel for Scottish government |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The Scottish government has set up an international panel of education experts during the first cabinet meeting of the Holyrood term. | The Scottish government has set up an international panel of education experts during the first cabinet meeting of the Holyrood term. |
Education and the economy were the key topics as Nicola Sturgeon convened her new cabinet at Bute House. | Education and the economy were the key topics as Nicola Sturgeon convened her new cabinet at Bute House. |
One of their first decisions was to establish an international council of educational advisors. | One of their first decisions was to establish an international council of educational advisors. |
Ms Sturgeon said her government was "wasting no time in getting back to business". | Ms Sturgeon said her government was "wasting no time in getting back to business". |
The first minister has reshuffled her gender-balanced cabinet, with her deputy John Swinney moving from finance to education, and Derek Mackay and Fergus Ewing becoming secretaries for the first time. | The first minister has reshuffled her gender-balanced cabinet, with her deputy John Swinney moving from finance to education, and Derek Mackay and Fergus Ewing becoming secretaries for the first time. |
The new cabinet has separate finance and economy posts, held by Mr Mackay and Keith Brown respectively, reflecting the priority placed on the topic by the new SNP government. | The new cabinet has separate finance and economy posts, held by Mr Mackay and Keith Brown respectively, reflecting the priority placed on the topic by the new SNP government. |
Ms Sturgeon said: "The cabinet has been shaped to reflect our key priorities of education and the economy, and both topics were top of the agenda at the meeting." | Ms Sturgeon said: "The cabinet has been shaped to reflect our key priorities of education and the economy, and both topics were top of the agenda at the meeting." |
The international council of educational experts will advise the government on improvements to schools and lessons which can be learned from other countries. | |
The Scottish government said the panel, which will be formed over the summer, will include authorities on closing the attainment gap in schools, achieving equality and educational system reform. | The Scottish government said the panel, which will be formed over the summer, will include authorities on closing the attainment gap in schools, achieving equality and educational system reform. |
Ms Sturgeon said the announcement "demonstrates our determination to learn lessons from around the world to ensure that Scotland is a global leader in education". | Ms Sturgeon said the announcement "demonstrates our determination to learn lessons from around the world to ensure that Scotland is a global leader in education". |
She said: "Giving every child in Scotland an excellent education and improving prospects for all our young people is at the heart of the Scottish government's priorities this term. | She said: "Giving every child in Scotland an excellent education and improving prospects for all our young people is at the heart of the Scottish government's priorities this term. |
"This independent body of international experts will challenge and scrutinise our plans as we look to return Scotland to the top of the class." | "This independent body of international experts will challenge and scrutinise our plans as we look to return Scotland to the top of the class." |
Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Liz Smith welcomed the announcement, but accused the SNP of being "reluctant to make use of international data" in schools. | |
She cited a written answer from Mr Swinney where he said the government had no plans to re-enter Scotland into international indexes such as the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, | |
Ms Smith said: "There are undoubtedly lessons to be learned from what works well in other countries, but we hope this will be accompanied by a change of heart from the SNP when it comes to removing Scotland from some key international measures of educational attainment. | |
"Only today, I received a parliamentary answer from John Swinney which made clear the SNP is still very reluctant to make use of rich international data when it comes to pupil attainment." | |
Football probe | |
Cabinet was also updated on the probes into disorder at Saturday's Scottish Cup final by Justice Secretary Michael Matheson. | Cabinet was also updated on the probes into disorder at Saturday's Scottish Cup final by Justice Secretary Michael Matheson. |
Police Scotland and the Scottish Football Association are looking into the chaotic scenes at Hampden, which saw police horses deployed as fans fought on the pitch. | Police Scotland and the Scottish Football Association are looking into the chaotic scenes at Hampden, which saw police horses deployed as fans fought on the pitch. |
Mr Matheson has urged the SFA to report on the matter before the new football season begins, so any lessons learned can be implemented. | Mr Matheson has urged the SFA to report on the matter before the new football season begins, so any lessons learned can be implemented. |
Ms Sturgeon will outline her key priorities for government in the Holyrood chamber on Wednesday, while Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop will lead a debate on the referendum on European Union membership on Thursday. | Ms Sturgeon will outline her key priorities for government in the Holyrood chamber on Wednesday, while Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop will lead a debate on the referendum on European Union membership on Thursday. |
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