- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 30 August 2002
-
Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 26 September 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the use of Global Positioning Satellites and associated software to measure the distance between a pupil's home and the school he or she attends is satisfactory, given that such measurement may take no account of any topographical variations which may increase any distance so measured.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is aware that all methods of measurement may require checks, safeguards and other factors to be taken into account to ensure an accurate and reasonable result.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 30 August 2002
-
Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 26 September 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what means of measuring the distance between a pupil's home and the school he or she attends it recommends to local authorities.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has not made recommendations to local authorities on this matter. When required to measure the distance between a pupil's home and school, local authorities are responsible for doing so in a way that is accurate and reasonable.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 30 August 2002
-
Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 26 September 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of variation in means of measurement applied by local authorities when assessing the distance between a pupil's home and the school he or she attends and, if so, what measures it is taking to standardise these means.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is aware that local authorities use various means to measure accurately and reasonably distances between home and school. There are no current plans to standardise these methods.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 September 2002
-
Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 26 September 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to The Scotsman article of 23 August 2002, what investigation it is undertaking into the decline in the pass rate for English and communication examinations in the Higher Still programme and whether any such investigation includes consideration of and comparison with the pass rate for English in the SCE Higher grade exam and syllabus format.
Answer
Following publication of overall pass rates for 2002 showing a 2.2% drop at Higher level compared to the previous year, I asked the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to undertake a more detailed analysis to ensure standards are being maintained across the exams system. This analysis indicated that a decrease in pass rates for English and communication and mathematics at Higher and Advanced Higher levels merited further consideration. The relevant SQA Assessment Panels have been asked to review and report on performance and assessment. The panels' findings, together with principal assessors' reports and marking schemes, will be published by the end of this month. The review focuses on key issues arising from this year's exam and will not include any detailed consideration of and comparison with pass rates for English and communication and mathematics in the SCE Higher grade exam and syllabus format.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 September 2002
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mike Watson on 26 September 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking in order to ensure that the Highlanders' Institute and its members are fully involved in the development of Gaelic policy and, in particular, in the development of Gaelic resources and facilities in the west of Scotland.
Answer
The Highlanders' Institute and its members are entitled to put forward their proposals for Gaelic. Following the Report of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Gaelic, we are establishing a new body, Bord Gaidhlig na h-Alba, to plan and co-ordinate activities in support of Gaelic across Scotland.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 September 2002
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mike Watson on 26 September 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make the feasibility study for the establishment of a Gaelic Centre in Glasgow available free of charge to all interested parties and, in particular, the Highlanders' Institute.
Answer
The study is the property of the bodies which commissioned it and paid for it. The commissioning was led by Comunn na Gaidhlig.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 13 September 2002
-
Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 26 September 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the syllabus for standard grade and higher history gives due prominence to Scottish figures and issues and teaches young people about their own nation's history rather than someone else's.
Answer
Units in the Standard Grade and Higher courses offer many opportunities to study aspects relating to Scottish figures and issues. However, it is important that young people learn about Scotland's history in a UK, European and international context to understand better Scotland's role in the world. Therefore, Standard Grade and Higher history courses should comprise a balance between Scottish, UK, European and international examples.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 September 2002
-
Current Status:
Answered by Elaine Murray on 25 September 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the full range of books published in Scotland and written by Scottish authors is supplied to libraries.
Answer
Statutory responsibility for local libraries lies with local authorities. Each local authority is responsible for determining the level of resources allocated for the library service which they provide for the residents of their area. This includes the purchasing of books.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 September 2002
-
Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 23 September 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures for appointing consultants must be undertaken by public bodies which it funds either directly or indirectly.
Answer
Procedures relating to the appointment of consultants are a matter for the individual bodies concerned, subject to any overarching principles in the Scottish Public Finance Manual and the EC Public Procurement Directives.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 August 2002
-
Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 20 September 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) average and (b) target times are for resolving parent appeals with regard to record of needs.
Answer
The average time for completion of the 20 record of needs appeals, for which decisions were reached in the period April 2001 to March 2002, was 66 weeks. The process is time consuming and the length of individual cases can be influenced by a variety of factors.There is no target timescale in legislation for completion of record of needs appeals referred to Scottish ministers.The record of needs process, including the appeal system, is currently under review. Proposals for change will be published in a draft Education Bill in early 2003.
