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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Salmond backs embattled minister | Salmond backs embattled minister |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| First Minister Alex Salmond has been forced to defend his education secretary, as the political row over cutting class sizes intensified. | First Minister Alex Salmond has been forced to defend his education secretary, as the political row over cutting class sizes intensified. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The attacks came after Ms Hyslop did not contribute to a Labour-led Holyrood debate on the issue. | The attacks came after Ms Hyslop did not contribute to a Labour-led Holyrood debate on the issue. |
| But Mr Salmond said pupil achievement in Scotland was at a record high. | But Mr Salmond said pupil achievement in Scotland was at a record high. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/briantaylor/2009/09/the_alex_salmond_show.html">Read Brian Taylor's blog | |
| 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. | 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. |
| Going on the attack, Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray claimed: "The first minister was elected on a false prospectus. | Going on the attack, Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray claimed: "The first minister was elected on a false prospectus. |
| In a tight election, he made cynical promises to children, parents, teachers and students - promises he never intended to keep. | In a tight election, he made cynical promises to children, parents, teachers and students - promises he never intended to keep. |
| "The education secretary is making Alex Salmond look like a fool." | "The education secretary is making Alex Salmond look like a fool." |
| 'Record attainment' | 'Record attainment' |
| 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." | 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." |
| 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." | 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." |
| 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." | 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." |
| 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." | 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." |
| Earlier, Ms Hyslop was accused by the opposition of ducking out of a Labour-led debate in the Scottish Parliament on class sizes. | Earlier, Ms Hyslop was accused by the opposition of ducking out of a Labour-led debate in the Scottish Parliament on class sizes. |
| 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. | 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. |