Labour promises 'best education'

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The first minister has vowed to make Scotland's education system the best in the world by 2020.

Jack McConnell pledged that "no child would be left behind" if Labour returns to power in May's Holyrood elections.

In a speech at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh the first minister promised to lift the floor and raise the ceiling for Scotland's children.

SNP leader Alex Salmond said Mr McConnell had ducked every opportunity to debate Scotland's future.

Addressing party MSPs and candidates, Mr McConnell said improving education was his party's central objective.

Ambitious pupils

He promised to create 100 skills academies and provide more vocational qualification preparation.

The first minister said Labour would publish plans in the run up to the Scottish election to make it compulsory for 16 and 17-years-olds to be engaged in full-time education, employment or training.

Basic language and science programmes would also be introduced for primary school children.

The plans also include creating specialist centres of excellence in science to stretch ambitious upper school pupils.

No 16 or 17-year-old will leave school without having a future Jack McConnellFirst Minister

Mr McConnell said: "If the first two terms of the parliament were about fulfilling the people's priorities, then the next term must be about unlocking the people's potential.

"Scotland's future - our competitiveness, and better opportunities for ordinary Scots - depends on our ability to embrace high-quality education and learning throughout our lives.

"No 16 or 17-year-old will leave school without having a future."

The education pledge is just one of about 40 Labour has made ahead of going to the polls.

Mr McConnell also promised new ways of dealing with community justice, with double the number of community wardens, and a detailed town centres' strategy.

On Friday he was joined by senior ministers to attack the SNP's policy to replace council tax with local income tax.

Mr Salmond said the first minister relied on "London heavies" to assault his party.

"Once the election campaign gets under way there will be no place to hide," he said.

"The contrast will become clear between the SNP's positive vision for Scotland and the unremitting negativity of Labour's campaign."