Scottish Labour ‘playing politics' ahead of education reforms vote
But Scottish Labour MSPs have threatened to vote against the Education (Scotland) Bill, claiming as it stands it fails to deliver 'genuine reform'.
READ MORE: Scotland leading the way in reducing child poverty, new report finds
With a new body, Qualifications Scotland, proposed to take the place of the SQA, Labour education spokeswoman Pam Duncan-Glancy has branded the plans a 'superficial rebrand'.
Her bid for the bill to establish Curriculum Scotland, a new body to take charge of setting what pupils should learn, was voted down by MSPs.
In a late night sitting on Tuesday, MSPs rejected the proposal, despite Duncan-Glancy insisting it would not increase costs for the Scottish Government.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth had argued curriculum improvements are already under way, with this work being led by Education Scotland.
Jenny Gilruth Gilruth insisted: 'I do not believe there are sufficient advantages to establishing a new standalone curriculum body in legislation and the expense that will incur, when we already have a national education agency being refocused on curriculum improvement and supporting implementation across the system.'
With the bill due before MSPs for a final vote on Wednesday evening, SNP MSP George Adam insisted the legislation 'presents an opportunity to bring about real change which will strengthen Scotland's education landscape'.
READ MORE: Scottish Government accused of 'shutting door' on rewilding and beaver restoration
He added: 'It comes as no surprise, but it is nevertheless disappointing, that Labour has decided to play politics rather than prioritise Scotland's schoolchildren.'
Adding the bill had been 'shaped' with input from pupils, parents and teachers, he continued: 'Despite putting forward a series of amendments to the bill, Labour has now shown that it would rather score a cheap political goal than vote for the changes it has been calling for.
'The SNP Scottish Government is proud of this bill and is committed to implementing the system and culture change required to improve outcomes and support professionals in classrooms and education settings all over Scotland.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Why 'Albo the activist' has more in common with Liberal hero John Howard than he'd care to admit - and what it says about the future of Australia: PVO
Anthony Albanese is edging towards a paradox: a Labor PM who could end up echoing John Howard. Not in ideology, but in method. The shape of what's unfolding is familiar: govern from the centre, bank incremental gains and let time in office do the heavy lifting. But nobody could accuse either PM of failing to pursue passion projects, and not always successfully.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Protest groups clash outside Scots asylum seeker hotel as cops shut down town centre road
DEMO DRAMA Protest groups clash outside Scots asylum seeker hotel as cops shut down town centre road Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PROTEST group has clashed with anti-racism campaigners outside a Scottish asylum seeker hotel. Stand Up to Racism Scotland, Falkirk Trades Union Council and residents said they organised the demonstration today to show that refugees are welcome in the town. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A protest group has clashed with anti-racism campaigners in Falkirk Credit: Getty 4 Stand Up to Racism Scotland organisers arranged a peaceful counter-protest Credit: Getty 4 Cops are in attendance at the scene this afternoon Credit: Getty 4 Dozens of demonstrators from each group stood on opposite sides of the road Credit: Getty It comes after the group Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures announced plans to hold a protest outside the hotel known as the Cladhan. In a social media post the group said it is "standing against uncontrolled illegal immigration, with people being placed in our communities without transparency, accountability, or consultation". It added: "This is not about hate, racism, or division. This is about safety, justice, and standing up for the people of Falkirk who deserve better." Dozens of demonstrators from each group stood on opposite sides of the road outside the hotel, with police keeping them separate. Protesters, some waving Union flags, chanted "send them home" and anti-racism demonstrators responded with chants of "refugees are welcome here" and "this is what community looks like". Stand Up to Racism Scotland organisers said: "We are organising a peaceful counter-protest to stand in solidarity with refugees and to say that they are welcome." They described it as a "safely stewarded community event with music, speeches from the local community, the trade union movement, local campaigns, faith groups and others". Demonstrators held placards with messages such as "stop the far right", "refugees welcome" and "migrants make our NHS". On the opposite side of the road protesters held signs with messages such as "go home", "enough is enough" and "we want our country back". In a previous statement Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures said it was not "anti-refugee" or "anti-migrant" but is "against a broken asylum system that is impacting communities across the UK, including Falkirk". Refugee rights campaigner praises Scots for taking a stand The group said: "We are not affiliated with any far-right groups, nor do we promote racism, hate, or division." The Home Office did not wish to comment. Police said that Kemper Avenue in Falkirk is closed due to protest activity which began at around 11am. A spokesperson for the force said: "Officers are in attendance and engaging with those involved. "Motorists are advised to use alternative routes."
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Lib Dem leader backs calls for urgent locks work on the River Cam
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has added his voice to calls for urgent repairs to locks on a city's river, saying it faces a "catastrophe".Jesus Green Lock and Bait's Bite Lock on the River Cam in Cambridgeshire have been closed to navigation since June 2024 after being deemed possible collapse of a lock island could take out a sluice, lowering the river water level, which could put an end to Environment Agency previously told the BBC it was aware of the situation and was working with the Conservators, who manage a stretch of the river, to "support them with this issue to ensure a co-ordinated and effective response". Martin Smart, the Labour Cambridge City Council cabinet member for nature, open spaces and city services, said the authority had provided two of its "top officers" to work with the Conservators to come up with a Green Lock is in the city centre and Baits Bite Lock is in Milton, north of Ed, speaking after he tried punting on the Cam on Friday, said: "I think these locks urgently need to be repaired and potentially rebuilt."David Goode, chair of the Conservators of the River Cam, who manage the river between Bottisham and the Mill Pond, said a structural engineer surveyed two locks as "in imminent danger of collapse".Work to replace the locks could cost about £25m, which he said the group did not have. Sir Ed said the work was "essential for people using the river" and if it was not completed "the river would go to a trickle"."All the jobs, all the revenue, all the tourism that brings to this great city... So this is actually quite an urgent investment and I hope Cambridge City Council can work with the government or with other agencies to get that investment," he said. Earlier this year, the Conservators issued an "organisation in crisis" group said the cost of the repairs and maintenance needed to the river's infrastructure was beyond their financial Goode said that £1.6m "stabilisation work" would start at Baits Bite lock from 25 August, providing a fix which could last between five and 10 years. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
