§ 22. Miss BeggTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the implementation of Higher Still. [49937]
§ Mr. WilsonHigher Still will bring important improvements to post-l6 education in Scotland which are urgently needed. To ensure that these benefits are delivered to our young people on time, over £20 million will have been directly invested in Higher Still by the time the first classes start in 1999. This investment is providing a comprehensive package of support for all Higher Still courses, as well as funding the national staff development programme.
Increasingly, though, the challenge of implementing Higher Still will become a matter for local authorities, schools and colleges. The partnership approach has led to significant progress in the past year in the development of local implementation plans. I am confident that these plans are achievable and will be achieved.