Chamber and committees

The next meeting of the committee will take place on Tuesday 12 November.

Shona, would that benefit your university, as the students come up?

Was that noise an indication that Peter Bain is getting a raise in his wages because of what he said? [Laughter.]

You will have to pardon the modulation of my tone at the moment—I am not particularly well.

You have answered practically all the questions that I was going to ask, but I am going to give you another opportunity to punt your points of view. In its response, the Government says that further activity will take place, starting perhaps in December, on considering key elements of the independent review’s recommendations, such as a leaving certificate, interdisciplinary learning, modularisation of subject qualifications and suchlike.

You have already given us some really strong answers, but do any particular areas of your recommendations need to be explored further by the Government? This is your opportunity to say so, and the Government will be listening to what is being said. Is there something that you think really needs to be picked up on?

So, it is about the culture. It is about how teaching and learning take place more than it is about a young person saying, “Look what I’ve achieved—here’s a bit of paper.” That is important, of course, but it is also about how they learn and how they feel about learning. Is that correct?

Liam Kerr is William as well: maybe that is where that came from. Anyway, Bill Kidd here.

I am aware that the convener has said that we are a wee bit short of time.

I have a couple of quick questions on the chief inspector of education. We already have an inspection regime. What will be the purpose of changing it for the future?

Thank you for being here, cabinet secretary, and thank you to your team. To what degree is the culture in an organisation dependent on its structures? Alternatively, how much is it dependent on the leadership? Are you confident that structural changes alone will bring about the desired changes to the organisational culture in the SQA?

Okay, so legislation will enhance the independence of the post and of the person who fills that post.

That is quite reasonable and rational. It is the organisation itself and who makes up that organisation that is the way forward.