Education Initiatives (Hansard, 22 March 1989)

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth

A list, with short descriptions, of the main initiatives undertaken in Scottish education since 1979 follows:

1. Standard Grade—Introduction to schools of new courses and examinations for age 14–16 that give every pupil credit for his or her achievements.
2. Action Plan—A new deal in education and training for age 16+, bringing pre-vocational and vocational training up to date and fitting it to the needs of employers and individuals.
3. Technical and Vocational Education Initiative (TVEI) —A national programme to provide within the school curriculum for the practical and applied skills and attitudes needed in employment in the years ahead.
4. Industry' Education Initiative—A national measure to increase links between schools and employers so that each has a better understanding of the others needs and requirements.
5. Curriculum and Assessment—A review of the primary and early secondary curriculum and of assessment 664 procedures, to introduce better quality and greater consistency in the delivery of education, and make the good practice of some the standard for all.
6. Modern Languages—Planned extension of competence in a modern European language to all pupils.
7. Special Educational Needs—More effective procedures to identify, record and make suitable provision for pupils with severe handicap. 1981 Act.
8. Pupils with Learning Difficulties—Development of better provision and support for those pupils.
9. Information Technology—Support for provision of computers in all schools.
10. Equipment for Science and Technology—Support for extension and modernisation of equipment in schools.
11. Research—Research projects to support all major Government initiatives.
12. Publication of Inspection Reports on Schools—Reports produced on all schools which have been subjected to a full inspection, for information to parents and exemplification of good practice.
13. Training for Teachers

13.1 All graduate entry to teaching announced in 1983. New degree course for primary teaching introduced in 1984; degrees for music and technology teaching in 1987.
13.2 Revised and extended postgraduate courses with more emphasis on school experience and the integration of theory and practice (primary-1986, secondary-1987).
13.3 Better delivery of in-service training by:

the introduction in 1984 of a specific grant to education authorities to encourage priority to nationally important topics; indentification of priority areas through the creation of the Scottish Council for Staff Development in Education (SCOSDE) in 1987; and
an enabling clause in the self-Governing Schools Etc (Scotland) Bill currently before Parliament to introduce the appraisal of teachers' performance.

14. Teachers' Pay and Conditions of Service—Revision through agreement of teachers' pay and conditions of service in 1987, which made specific provision for

14.1 the appointment of a new grade of senior teacher;
14.2 time away from the classroom for parents' evenings;
14.3 time for in-service training and other forms of professional development (PAT).

15. Staff Development

15.1 A major management training programme for headteachers has been launched.
15.2 More training support is planned for probationer teachers.
15.3 Views have been invited on a voucher scheme to stimulate teachers' personal professional development.

16. Parental Choice—Introduction of a right for parents to choose their children's school. More than 13 per cent. of pupils at P1 stage are now the subject of a placing request, more than 10 per cent. of pupils at S1. More than 90 per cent. of placing requests are granted.
17. Parental Involvement in Schools—Establishment of School Boards in every local authority school in Scotland by October 1989; membership to include parents, teachers and co-opted members. This will give parents an effective voice in their children's education and in the management of schools.
18. Assisted Places Scheme—The Assisted Places Scheme, introduced in 1981, has widened the scope for exercise of choice by parents and the range of educational opportunity for children, by enabling parents of modest income to send their children to independent fee-paying schools if they so prefer. The Scheme assists 2,670 pupils, at 41 schools. From 1989–90 the Scheme will be extended to include pupils in the later stages of preparatory schools. The total number of pupils benefiting is expected to rise to about 3,000 by 1991–92.
19. Technology Academies—An initiative involving private sector sponsorship to extend the scope for choice, to widen the range and diversity of schools available and to raise standards and expectations of pupils, parents and teachers.
20. Parent Involvement in Discipline—Regulations made in 1982 require parents to be involved in decisions about disciplinary behaviour at a very early stage where exclusion from a school is in prospect. The closer involvement of parents with schools through School Boards will also encourage the partnership between home and school in maintaining good standards of behaviour.
21. Abolition of Corporal Punishment—Since 1987 corporal punishment has been abolished as a sanction for pupils whose education is directly provided in whole or in part from public funds.
22. Playground Supervision—Some £4 million has been provided in the Revenue Support Grant settlement in 1989–90, to enable education authorities to provide for proper playground supervision at lunchtimes.
23. Educational Expenditure—Between 1979–80 and 1987–88 net current expenditure per pupil by local authorities on schools increased in real terms by 39 per cent. (now £1,587 per pupil compared with £1,143 in 1979–80 at 1987–88 prices).