Consultation on the Improvement in Scottish Education Bill

Foreword

"Education will be our highest priority with the stated intention of earning a world class reputation for the Scottish education system."

Partnership for Scotland, May 1999

Education is our number one priority. The new Scottish Executive has a clear vision for the school system and it will place children at the centre of its concerns. We will work to ensure that each and every child realises his or her potential. We will only be able to do so with the support of a motivated and committed teaching profession working in partnership with parents.

The Improvement in Scottish Education Bill is the first major Bill to be brought forward by the new Scottish Executive. The Bill meets our commitment to promote Education for the Nation. It will:

• Underwrite our commitment to raising standards in education.
• Promote an education service that is based on shared priorities and responsive to local needs.
• Give every child the best start in life so that they can have the best opportunity for life.
• Enable local communities and parents to be more involved in schools.
• Help us to celebrate excellence in schools and never accept second best.

The Bill will allow us to focus on the key outcomes - raising attainment and promoting social inclusion - making sure that we get the basics right. It will enable Ministers - in partnership with local authorities - to identify national priorities that are then taken forward at local level.

The draft Bill does not contain any provisions relating to teachers. We will shortly publish a consultation document on the powers of the General Teaching Council for Scotland which will include proposals for legislation. The Bill that is presented to Parliament for consideration may contain provisions following from that consultation. Teachers have the central role in achieving excellence in the classroom. I respect and value their manifest committment and I want to work with them to improve Scottish education.

We attach great importance to the consultation process and hope that people will welcome the new openness that the Parliament brings to making legislation. I personally hope that the consultation process will give us a better Bill that reflects what people think is important for Scottish education.

Sam Galbraith, MSP
Minister for Children and Education