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Chancellor makes education pledge Chancellor makes education pledge
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown is due to outline his ambition for Scotland to have the best educational standards in the world. Gordon Brown has outlined his ambition for Scotland to have the best educational standards in the world.
The Chancellor will be speaking at the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum at the Scottish Parliament. The chancellor was speaking at the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum at the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Brown will take part in a question and answer session with the software firm's chairman Bill Gates. Mr Brown took part in a question and answer session with the software firm's chairman, Bill Gates.
The two-day conference, which began on Tuesday, involves some of the world's most influential decision-makers. The two-day conference, which began on Tuesday, has involved international decision-makers.
They have gathered in Edinburgh for the event, which coincides with the launch of Microsoft's latest operating system, Vista. Mr Brown told delegates how Scotland led the world 500 years ago in pioneering a school in every village and must now lead the world in lifelong education.
Mr Brown will tell delegates how Scotland led the world 500 years ago in pioneering a school in every village and must now lead the world in lifelong education.
It is now time to set our sights higher, raise our ambition to the best world-class standards Chancellor Gordon BrownIt is now time to set our sights higher, raise our ambition to the best world-class standards Chancellor Gordon Brown
He said: "First Scotland is creating more jobs, with unemployment today lower than London.He said: "First Scotland is creating more jobs, with unemployment today lower than London.
"Secondly, Scotland is reducing child poverty faster, removing one of the main barriers to young peoples' life chances. "Secondly, Scotland is reducing child poverty faster, removing one of the main barriers to young people's life chances.
"Third, Scotland has seen Europe's fastest rise in educational investment since 1997.""Third, Scotland has seen Europe's fastest rise in educational investment since 1997."
Other leaders taking part in the Holyrood forum include Danuta Hubner, European commissioner for regional policy, and Wim Kok, former prime minister of the Netherlands.Other leaders taking part in the Holyrood forum include Danuta Hubner, European commissioner for regional policy, and Wim Kok, former prime minister of the Netherlands.
World classWorld class
Mr Gates and First Minister Jack McConnell signed a joint statement of intent between the Scottish Executive and the company, aimed at addressing the growing number of jobless youngsters in Scotland who are not in education or training. Mr Gates and First Minister Jack McConnell signed a joint statement of intent between the Scottish Executive and Microsoft on Tuesday, aimed at addressing the growing number of jobless youngsters in Scotland who are not in education or training.
The Chancellor said there could be no impediments to the education of the country's youngsters. The chancellor said there could be no impediments to the education of the country's youngsters.
He said: "It is now time to set our sights higher, raise our ambition to the best world-class standards.He said: "It is now time to set our sights higher, raise our ambition to the best world-class standards.
Bill Gates also received an honorary degree from Edinburgh University The Chancellor is to outline his vision for Scottish learning
"Our ambition for education, to raise the floor and to remove the ceiling, a higher floor for all to build from, with no ceiling for anyone to be held back, no limits to potential, no cap on aspiration - no child left behind."Our ambition for education, to raise the floor and to remove the ceiling, a higher floor for all to build from, with no ceiling for anyone to be held back, no limits to potential, no cap on aspiration - no child left behind.
"I want every child to have the chances I have had and that my children have.""I want every child to have the chances I have had and that my children have."
But Annabel Goldie MSP, Scottish Conservative Leader, challenged Mr Brown directly on his visit to Edinburgh. However, Annabel Goldie MSP, Scottish Conservative Leader, challenged Mr Brown directly on his visit to Edinburgh.
She said: "Welcome back to a country which has lost 1,000 manufacturing jobs already this year.She said: "Welcome back to a country which has lost 1,000 manufacturing jobs already this year.
"Where the civil service is on strike; 200 pupils a day are being excluded from school; the number of health administrators and managers is growing faster than the number of nurses."Where the civil service is on strike; 200 pupils a day are being excluded from school; the number of health administrators and managers is growing faster than the number of nurses.
"Every six hours someone dies from alcohol abuse; there is a looming crisis in doctor numbers; the ferry tendering process is in tatters."Every six hours someone dies from alcohol abuse; there is a looming crisis in doctor numbers; the ferry tendering process is in tatters.
"And under your Lib-Lab pact our criminal justice system is discredited. And these are only this week's headlines.""And under your Lib-Lab pact our criminal justice system is discredited. And these are only this week's headlines."