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Hyslop 'ducks MSPs' over schools Salmond backs embattled minister
(about 2 hours later)
Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop has been accused of ducking out of a crucial Holyrood debate on schools. First Minister Alex Salmond has been forced to defend his education secretary, as the political row over cutting class sizes intensified.
The Labour attack came a day after the party accused her of a U-turn on the SNP's policy to cut class sizes. Labour and the Conservatives branded Fiona Hyslop "hapless" and said she was "making a fool" of Mr Salmond, amid claims a key SNP pledge was ditched.
Rhona Brankin, Labour's education spokeswoman, said it was time for Ms Hyslop to resign. The attacks came after Ms Hyslop did not contribute to a Labour-led Holyrood debate on the issue.
But Schools Minister Keith Brown told parliament that progress was being made towards meeting "ambitious" targets to reduce class sizes. But Mr Salmond said pupil achievement in Scotland was at a record high.
Ms Hyslop, who was present in the Holyrood chamber during the debate, has announced legislation to cap class sizes in primary one at 25 pupils - while denying the plan was a weakening of a manifesto promise to reduce early primary classes sizes to 18. During heated exchanges during first minister's questions, he insisted the Scottish government was making year-on-year progress to hit education targets - something he said Labour failed to do during its time in power.
I have no sympathy for the SNP because when they were in opposition they were the ones who promised they would deliver class size reductions Murdo FraserTory education spokesman Who should the parents blame for this mess? The cocky head boy Alex Salmond or his silent and wretched prefect, Ms Hyslop Annabel GoldieScottish Conservative leader
The row blew up after Ms Hyslop announced plans on Wednesday to cap class sizes in primary one at 25 pupils - while denying the plan would mean dumping a manifesto promise to reduce early primary classes sizes to 18.
She said the 25-pupil limit would provide a "backstop" for local authorities facing legal challenges.She said the 25-pupil limit would provide a "backstop" for local authorities facing legal challenges.
Ms Brankin hit out at Ms Hyslop for not speaking during the Labour-led debate, adding: "With the SNP failing so badly on education, you would think the education secretary would want to stand up and be counted, but instead she is missing. Going on the attack, Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray claimed: "The first minister was elected on a false prospectus.
"Scotland's teachers deserve better than a minister that won't explain why she is letting them down." In a tight election, he made cynical promises to children, parents, teachers and students - promises he never intended to keep.
Ms Brankin told MSPs most local authorities had either seen no change in pupil teacher ratios or had got worse. "The education secretary is making Alex Salmond look like a fool."
Tory education spokesman Murdo Fraser said debates on education had "become the parliamentary equivalent of small boys pulling the wings off flies". 'Record attainment'
But he added: "I have no sympathy for the SNP because when they were in opposition they were the ones who promised they would deliver class size reductions, and we know that is happening but at a glacial rate." Criticising the SNP's record in education, Annabel Goldie, told MSPs: "Posted missing in making any comment to this parliament about this mess is the minister, the hapless Fiona Hyslop."
'Record funding' She went on: "Who should the parents blame for this mess? The cocky head boy Alex Salmond or his silent and wretched prefect, Ms Hyslop."
Margaret Smith, the Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman, said the government was passing blame to councils. Mr Salmond told MSPs the standard grade pass rate was 98.5% in 2009, while the pass rates for higher exams and advanced highers were 74.2% and 77.8% respectively. He added: "Each of these statistics is a new record of achievement in Scottish education."
"If teacher employment and class sizes is so clearly not the responsibility of the government, why did they make such bold pledges on both of these issues in their election manifesto?" she asked. The first minister said of Ms Hyslop: "I will put on record the approval and the endorsement I have for an education secretary who's helped, along with the pupils and teachers of Scotland, to achieve the record levels of attainment."
But Mr Brown said average primary class sizes were at a record low of 23.2, the pupil-teacher ratio of 13.1 was at a historic low, while the proportion of P1-P3 pupils in classes of 18 or fewer had risen to a record high of 13.25%. Earlier, Ms Hyslop was accused by the opposition of ducking out of a Labour-led debate in the Scottish Parliament on class sizes.
"This sort of track record doesn't come easily," he said, adding: "It has been made possible by us making record levels of funding available to local authorities - £23bn over the period 2008 to 2010." Although she was present in the chamber during the event, Schools Minister Keith Brown responded for the government, insisting average primary class sizes were at a record low.