MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE FORTY SEVENTH MEETING OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE IN COMMITTEE ROOM 1, THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT, EDINBURGH ON THURSDAY 10 MAY 2001

Present:
Mr D Kennedy (Chairman)
Mrs E Bell
Mrs P Lewsley
Mr B McElduff
Mr G McHugh

Apologies:
Mr J Fee
Mr T Gallagher
Mr O Gibson
Mr T Hamilton
Mr K Robinson
Mr S Wilson

In Attendance:
Mrs C Darrah
Miss J Adair
Miss A Montgomery

The Committee met at 4.15 p.m. in public session.

The Chairman opened the meeting and thanked the Convenor, members and staff of the Education, Culture and Sports Committee of the Scottish Parliament for their assistance in arranging the Evidence Sessions and for their hospitality.

The Convenor of the Scottish Education, Culture and Sports Committee, Mrs Gillen and Deputy Convenor, Ms Peattie who attended the opening of the meeting welcomed the Northern Ireland Assembly Education Committee to the Scottish Parliament. The meeting was the first held by another Assembly Committee in the Scottish Parliament.

1. Evidence Session with Professor Tom Bryce and Professor Walter Humes on the Scottish System of Post-Primary Education

As part of the Committee's consideration of the Review of Post-Primary Education, the Chairman welcomed Professor Tom Bryce, Vice Dean and Professor Walter Humes, Department of Education at the University of Strathclyde to the meeting. They gave oral evidence and outlined the main points of their paper to the Committee on the system of post-primary education in Scotland. This was followed by a detailed question and answer session. Areas discussed included:

• Public perception of the Scottish system of post-primary education
• The effectiveness of banding/streaming/setting
• The curriculum
• The liaison between schools and business/industry
• The benefits of the Scottish comprehensive system for pupils from poorer socio-economic backgrounds
• Community Schools
• Mainstreaming and Special Educational Needs
• The McCrone Agreement and teacher development
• The main challenges being faced

Hansard recorded the evidence for publication in due course.

2. Evidence Session with Professor Munn on the Scottish System of Post-Primary Education

As part of the Committee's consideration of the Review of Post-Primary Education, the Chairman welcomed Professor Pamela Munn, Professor of Curriculum Research at the University of Edinburgh to the meeting. Professor Munn gave oral evidence and outlined the main points of her paper to the Committee on the system of post-primary education in Scotland. This was followed by a detailed question and answer session. Areas discussed included:

• Public perception of the Scottish system of post-primary education
• The effectiveness of banding/streaming/setting
• The curriculum
• The introduction of the Higher Still exams
• The McCrone Agreement and teacher development
• The main challenges for Scottish education
• The approach to vocational education and training
• Special Educational Needs

Hansard recorded the evidence for publication in due course.

3. Any other Business

(i) Mr McElduff requested that consideration be given to a similar visit to the Republic of Ireland to include an evidence session in the Oireachtas.

(ii) The Chairman invited the Scottish Education, Culture and Sports Committee to visit Parliament Buildings to discuss common issues relating to education.

4. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Thursday 17 May 2001 at 10.15 a.m in Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

The meeting closed at 6.00 p.m.

DANNY KENNEDY
Committee Chairman

May 2001