Education Secretary Michael Russell set out his vision for education to the Scottish Parliament today.

During his opening speech in the education debate Mr Russell said:

“I have provided here an idea of the ambition that the Government holds for Scottish Education. I have also indicated some of the challenges.”

In the first four years we started to address the challenges, but there is more to do. I remain committed to bearing down on class sizes in the early years of primary school – however, I recognise that progress will not be as fast as I would like.”

“I would also like to say that although education is fully devolved, were we fully independent we would be able to focus the sort of resources in education that we can currently only dream about.”

“However, we will aim high to achieve excellence across all sectors – in early years, our schools, our colleges, our universities.”

“I have touched upon the various interests and people that we will listen to and support: parents; teachers; lecturers; social workers; employers; the wider community – it might even be politicians.”

“We won’t all agree all the time. But, above all, my task – our task – is to ensure that we focus on the attainment of all of our young people and enhance their life chances.”

“This will be to the success of not only our young people, it will also be to the success of Scotland as a whole.”

Michael Russell
Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning

Read the Education Secretary’s speech to the Scottish Parliament in full