Portfolio Questions

Education and Skills Douglas Ross S6O-04169 1. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will launch an independent review of the 2024 Higher History exam, in light of reports that responses to a survey by the Scottish Association of Teachers of History were overwhelmingly critical of the SQA review, that it had been described as a "whitewash", and that one respondent referred to it as "the most biased and useless investigation I have ever seen a public body attempt to pass off as legitimate”. Liam McArthur S6O-04170 2. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there is adequate childcare provision in island communities, including in the Orkney constituency. Colin Smyth S6O-04171 3. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the data from the Pupils Census Supplementary Statistics, which reportedly shows that the number of pupils with additional support needs in Dumfries and Galloway increased by over 1,000 between 2019 and 2023. Kenneth Gibson S6O-04172 4. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve discipline in schools. Brian Whittle S6O-04173 5. To ask the Scottish Government what role schools can play in ensuring that children develop life-long physical literacy skills. Sharon Dowey S6O-04174 6. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle antisocial behaviour, and safeguard the welfare of girls, in schools. Elena Whitham S6O-04175 7. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress being made to improve the learning outcomes of pupils to prepare them for careers in the technology sector. Mark Ruskell S6O-04176 8. To ask the Scottish Government how the needs of pupils with additional support needs are taken into account in the procurement and replacement of the school estate.