Minutes: 04 May 2022

1. Scottish Attainment Challenge Inquiry:

The Committee heard evidence from—

Ruth Binks, Director of Education, Communities & Organisational Development, Inverclyde Council;

Gerry Lyons, Head of Education, Glasgow City Council;

Tony McDaid, Executive Director of Education Resources, South Lanarkshire Council;

Mark Ratter, Director of Education,  East Renfrewshire Council.

Stephanie Callaghan declared that she is a Councillor in South Lanarkshire.

2. Public petitions:

The Committee considered the following petitions—

PE1548: National Guidance on Restraint and Seclusion in Schools. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to seek an update on timescales for the publication of the guidance relating to these issues, which is being developed by a working group established by the Scottish Government.

PE1668: Improve literacy standards in schools through research-informed reading instructions. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders on the basis that the Committee has no current plans to scrutinise initial training education. In doing so, the Committee agreed to consider the issues raised in the petition should it consider initial training education in future. 

PE1692: Inquiry into the human rights impact of GIRFEC policy and data processing. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to seek an update on timescales for the publication of guidance relating to these matters.

PE1747: Adequate funding to support children with additional support needs in all Scottish Schools. The Committee agreed to consider the petition as part of a future work programme discussion. 

 

3. Evidence Session (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 1