This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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School reforms take to international stage
14/11/2004
Scotland's bid to climb further up the premier league of
international education kicks off tomorrow at the start of
International Education Week.
After representing the UK at part of the EU Council of
Education Ministers in Brussels, Peter Peacock will
meet his counterparts from Finland and Germany to discuss
plans to strengthen comparisons between Scotland's
education performance and that of other countries.
The Executive's recently unveiled school reforms -
described as "the most comprehensive schools modernisation
programme in a generation" - aim to ensure Scotland remains
a world-class player.
In a recent study of over 30 countries, Scotland ranked
fifth and sixth in the world for maths and reading.
Ministers want Scotland to take part in more studies of
this type to measure international performance and ensure
the country is continuing to compete globally.
Mr Peacock said:
"Scottish education more than holds its own in Britain,
Europe and the wider world. We are in the international
premier league.
"But just as we must continue to reach higher at home,
we must continue to reach higher globally.
"Our education system needs to compete internationally,
as our young people will increasingly have to compete
internationally.
"Scotland is a strong part of the UK and we benefit from
being part of a strong UK within Europe.
"I'll be using my time in Brussels to meet informally
with fellow Education Ministers and secure a shared
commitment to learning from each other and developing an
international benchmark against which we can all measure
improvements."
Other Executive activity to boost the international
dimension of Scottish education includes:
- Signing a formal declaration of
education co-operation with France
- Exploring opportunities for
educational collaboration with China, following the
First Minister's recent visit there
- Hosting a series of education
seminars in Scotland House, Brussels, to allow other
European countries to learn more about Scottish
education
- Hosting the 5th annual Scottish
International Education Conference (next Tuesday
November 23) and bringing together over 100 delegates
from countries including France, Spain, Poland,
Pakistan and the Ukraine
- Investing £330,000 to participate
further in the Trends in International Mathematics and
Science Study (TIMMS)
The Executive unveiled a package of school reforms under
the banner
Ambitious,
Excellent Schools on November 1.
Among the 12 key actions included "more international
comparisons between Scotland's education performance and
that of other countries to ensure Scotland continues to
compete internationally".
Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace will sign a
declaration of education co-operation with the French
Minister for Education, Youth and Research in Paris on St
Andrew's Day - Tuesday, November 30.