Michael Russell MSP

That the Parliament believes that access to higher education should be based on ability to learn, not ability to pay and will not introduce upfront or backdoor tuition fees.

That the Parliament believes that access to higher education should be based on ability to learn, not ability to pay and will not introduce upfront or backdoor tuition fees.

That the Parliament recognises the key role that colleges and their staff play in supporting Scotland’s young people, communities and the economy; further recognises their substantial commitment to regionalisation, including the mergers in Edinburgh and Lothians and Scotland’s rural colleges; further recognises that college provision is being prioritised to better address economic needs and support young people at risk of unemployment; welcomes the commitment of the Scottish Government to maintaining both the volume of teaching and full-time equivalent student numbers, including through in-year additional budget support; further welcomes the continuing renewal of the college estate, demonstrated in new facilities delivered or planned at Stirling, Dundee, Alloa, Fraserburgh, Inverness, Kilmarnock and Glasgow, and supports the protection of the college student support budget in 2012-13.

That the Parliament recognises the key role that colleges and their staff play in supporting Scotland’s young people, communities and the economy; further recognises their substantial commitment to regionalisation, including the mergers in Edinburgh and Lothians and Scotland’s rural colleges; further recognises that college provision is being prioritised to better address economic needs and support young people at risk of unemployment; welcomes the commitment of the Scottish Government to maintaining both the volume of teaching and full-time equivalent student numbers, including through in-year additional budget support; further welcomes the continuing renewal of the college estate, demonstrated in new facilities delivered or planned at Stirling, Dundee, Alloa, Fraserburgh, Inverness, Kilmarnock and Glasgow, and supports the protection of the college student support budget in 2012-13.

That the Education and Culture Committee recommends that the Fundable Bodies (Scotland) Order 2012 [draft] be approved.

That the Education and Culture Committee recommends that the Fundable Bodies (Scotland) Order 2012 [draft] be approved.

As an amendment to motion S4M-02242 in the name of Hugh Henry (Curriculum for Excellence), leave out from “however" to end and insert "the widespread support for Curriculum for Excellence from teachers, parents and learners, including the hundreds of teachers and other professionals involved in the development of these qualifications; recognises the risks to learners that could result from a wholesale delay in implementation; further welcomes the unprecedented levels of support that are already provided by national agencies and local authorities to ensure that teachers are confident in delivering Curriculum for Excellence; recognises that additional support has been and will continue to be offered on a school by school basis as required, and remains true to the vision of empowering teachers and working with parents and learners to deliver the right education for every child in Scotland.”

As an amendment to motion S4M-02242 in the name of Hugh Henry (Curriculum for Excellence), leave out from “however" to end and insert "the widespread support for Curriculum for Excellence from teachers, parents and learners, including the hundreds of teachers and other professionals involved in the development of these qualifications; recognises the risks to learners that could result from a wholesale delay in implementation; further welcomes the unprecedented levels of support that are already provided by national agencies and local authorities to ensure that teachers are confident in delivering Curriculum for Excellence; recognises that additional support has been and will continue to be offered on a school by school basis as required, and remains true to the vision of empowering teachers and working with parents and learners to deliver the right education for every child in Scotland.”

As an amendment to motion S4M-01876 in the name of Liz Smith (College Funding), leave out from “condemns” to end and insert “acknowledges the difficulties resulting from the UK Government’s cuts of over £3 billion to the Scottish block and the inescapable pressures that this creates for college budgets; welcomes the fact that the Scottish Government is ensuring that £265 million of capital investment in colleges is made over the spending review period, including through the non-profit distributing programme; further recognises that the support is in place to maintain student numbers in the coming year; commends the hard work and commitment of college staff and students at all levels, both to improve learner outcomes and to take forward the progressive programme of reform set in train by the Scottish Government, including its plans for a regional structure in which learning provision is better matched to need, and reiterates its support for the creation of 125,000 modern apprenticeships over the current parliamentary session and for the introduction of the Opportunities for All programme, which will provide a suitable place in learning or training for all 16 to 19-year-olds who require it.”

As an amendment to motion S4M-01876 in the name of Liz Smith (College Funding), leave out from “condemns” to end and insert “acknowledges the difficulties resulting from the UK Government’s cuts of over £3 billion to the Scottish block and the inescapable pressures that this creates for college budgets; welcomes the fact that the Scottish Government is ensuring that £265 million of capital investment in colleges is made over the spending review period, including through the non-profit distributing programme; further recognises that the support is in place to maintain student numbers in the coming year; commends the hard work and commitment of college staff and students at all levels, both to improve learner outcomes and to take forward the progressive programme of reform set in train by the Scottish Government, including its plans for a regional structure in which learning provision is better matched to need, and reiterates its support for the creation of 125,000 modern apprenticeships over the current parliamentary session and for the introduction of the Opportunities for All programme, which will provide a suitable place in learning or training for all 16 to 19-year-olds who require it.”