 Good afternoon. I remind members that Covid-related measures are in place and that face covering should be worn when moving around the chamber and the Holyrood campus. The next item of business is portfolio questions. A portfolio is education and skills. If any member wishes to ask a supplementary question, the members should press their request to speak buttons. I will put an R in the chat function if they are joining us online during the relevant question. 1. Alex Cole-Hamill Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. Do you ask the Scottish Government how many unemployed teachers there currently are in Scotland? We are firmly off the view that we will need all possible teaching resources at our disposal to compensate for any loss of learning suffered since the start of the pandemic, as well as to bring much-needed resilience to the education system at its challenging time. Since the start of the pandemic, we have provided £240 million of additional investment specifically for the recruitment of more education staff. In addition to this funding, we are providing local authorities with permanent funding of £145.5 million per year to support the recruitment of extra teachers on permanent contracts. I am very grateful to the cabinet secretary for that reply, but I have to tell her that this is still a major problem. Over the last 24 hours, I have had a flood of complaints from newly-qualified teachers. One was so desperate that she was spending £400 a month travelling from Edinburgh to Glasgow for a teaching job. Another had retrained to become a teacher, but is now back with her former employer. One said, I have had enough. My mental health has been affected. My life is on hold until I get a permanent post, but there are none for any of us. The education secretary's complacency is crushing the careers of newly-qualified teachers. When is she going to get this sorted? As the member knows, the responsibility of the recruitment of staff is directly with local authorities and does not sit with national government. National government's responsibility is around funding. I am detailed in the answer to Alex Cole-Hamilton, particularly around the base lining of funding that we have provided to local authorities to ensure that local authorities can recruit extra teachers on permanent contracts. Teachers published show that teacher numbers are increasing for the fifth year in a row. There are now more teachers than at any time since 2008. The ratio of pupils to teachers is at its lowest since 2010. We are undertaking firm action on that. I have demonstrated that in my original answer. We will continue to do so to support our valued teachers at this time. As I said, we know that their skills and expertise are required to support our young people during this difficult time. There are a number of supplementaries. I hope to get all of them in so brief questions and answers if possible. I will entwide first. In a similar vein, to ask the Scottish Government for an update in progress on recruiting more teachers to Scotland schools. The additional £240 million that I mentioned in my original answer to Alex Cole-Hamilton has already been provided and has supported the recruitment of more than 2,200 additional teachers and more than 500 support staff. The permanent funding of £145.5 million per year that we are providing to baseline local authority funds will allow the recruitment of even more additional teachers on permanent contracts. As I said in my answer to Alex Cole-Hamilton, that means that we have more teachers than at any time since 2008. Given the number of teachers looking for employment and the additional roles being recreated, does the cabinet secretary share my concern that Dumfries and Galloway council are telling parents, particularly in smaller rural schools, that they may have to cut back on teacher numbers and strictly enforce ratios? Every council will receive additional funding from the Scottish Government, as I have laid now in my answers to two members. That would include Dumfries and Galloway council. I would encourage the council to ensure that that additional funding that has been baselined into a settlement is used to ensure that permanent staff are recruited. I am very grateful, Deputy Presiding Officer. Excuse me. I thank the minister for confirming that the 1,000 new teachers and the 500 people support assistants that were announced on 2 August have indeed been employed. Can she confirm, out of that number, how many are qualified to work with ASN children? As the member will know, there are children who all teachers will work with that will have additional support needs. There are particular arrangements and the determination that this Government has to ensure that we are supporting children with additional support needs further in our work with the Colleagues in the Scottish Green Party. I will certainly keep Mr Whitfield up-to-date on the work that we are undertaking on that. Willie Rennie is truly astonishing that the education secretary, after months of asking, still does not know how many unemployed teachers there are in this country. She is the education secretary and she should know the answer to that. She cannot simply pass the buck to councils. When will she get a grip of this situation and improve the careers of teachers, rather than crushing them? I can only go through some of the figures that I have just detailed about the action that has been taken since I became education secretary, including the baselining of the funding to ensure that we have permanent contracts that are available. That, of course, is a matter for local authorities, but local government has been provided the funding for those additional posts through the national government's work. We are determined to continue that work. Of course, we have a commitment during this parment for the employment of at least 3,500 additional teachers. That is over and above the additional 1,400 teachers that were recruited during the pandemic. This Government has taken action and will continue to take action to support our teachers and young people. To ask the Scottish Government for an update on the Discover Cyber Skills programme. The Discover Cyber Skills programme was delivered by Skills Development Scotland between September 2017 and March 2021. The purpose of the programme was to build young people's, parents and teachers' understanding of good cyber practice and also to inspire young people into cyber security careers. Over the four years of the programme, SDS engaged with over 130,000 pupils in schools from every local authority in Scotland. In addition, the programme provided upskilling to teachers through the development of a toolkit to support the delivery of cyber skills sessions to young people. The biggest show that there has been a 29 per cent decrease in pupils taking computing sciences at a higher level between 2016 and 2020, as well as a significant decline in computing teachers over the past decade. What action is the Scottish Government taking to increase uptake in this area to ensure that we have a pipeline of talent in place to meet serious challenges such as cybercrime, which has nearly doubled in the past year? I concur with the direction that the member is taking with her question to say that this is a very important issue. We need to ensure that we have the young people with the adequate skills in this area. Part of that is, of course, around teachers that are qualified in this area. The latest data shows that there was an increase in the number of teachers that have computing when compared to what was there in 2019. We know that there is, of course, more work to do on that issue, but that is exactly why we are taking for work, for example, from the Logan review to ensure that we are moving forward with this agenda. Is it a very pertinent question? I have regular representations from businesses in Dundee who tell me that they could create hundreds of jobs in the city where the sufficient skills are available locally and the labour pool does not exist. I commend the work of local universities such as Abertau, but, unfortunately, they cannot use computing as a compulsory subject because so few state schools now offer higher computing in their schools. What concrete action can be taken immediately to address the deficit that is being identified and to make sure that we can get people who, instead of in the first year of their courses, have not relearned the subject that they should have learned at school? I mentioned in my original answer, or perhaps my simple, mentory answer, the work that was going on following the Logan review. There were a number of pieces of that that were to do with schools. I, of course, recently met with Mark Logan and Senior Fitzhull to discuss that work. We are due to have further meetings in the next few weeks about those proposals and how we can take that forward. There are a number of areas of action that have already been undertaken by Education Scotland and other agencies in this area, but I recognise that we need to do more on that. That is exactly why I have continued engagement with Mark Logan and others interested in this area. Both Skills Development Scotland and the General Teaching Council have previously noted the value of bringing computer experts into the classroom to upskill both teachers and pupils on issues such as cyber security. Can the cabinet secretary advise whether the Scottish Government has any plans to bring further industry experts into school on other broader tech-related subjects? One valuable form of expertise is from industry voices who can work with schools to inspire young people and to support the teacher. There are a number of partners already working with schools to introduce industry skills and to support this work. Of course, Skills Development Scotland is heavily involved in establishing a framework that brings agencies together to help them to tackle that challenge. It is an important area of work that we are keen to do more on to ensure that schools have close relationships and discussions with industry and with local and national businesses, and that Skills Development Scotland is very heavily involved in. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide in the update on its plans to incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law. We remain committed to the incorporation of the UNCRC to the maximum extent possible as soon as practicable. We are considering the implications of the Supreme Court judgment and how best to take forward incorporation. We are undertaking targeted engagement with stakeholders and options before final decisions are made. Options also need careful consideration to ensure that the address areas found to be outwith competence deliver the UNCRC policy and avoid further challenge. The Deputy First Minister will come back to Parliament in due course with her proposals. Although the Supreme Court judgment means that the UNCRC bill cannot receive royal assent in its current form, the majority of the work in relation to the implementation can and is continuing. I thank the minister for that answer. This issue is too important for there to be further delays. Every day that passes is another day where those rights are not enshrined in law. I know that the Scottish Youth Parliament is understandably concerned about getting those rights in place. We have also issues within Scotland such as our national call for vacancy agency being subject to statutory action from the EHRC, which shows how vital those rights are. When can this Parliament expect a timetable for our revised bill and how soon is it in due course? It is fair to say that the Scottish Government is bitterly disappointed that the bill has been delayed, but we remain committed to the incorporation of UNCRC to the maximum extent possible and as soon as practicable. We are committed to a three-year UNCRC implementation programme in collaboration with public authorities, children and young people, during which we are investing £4 million a year to support a fundamental shift in how children's rights are respected, protected and fulfilled in Scotland. The work is progressing. As I said in my original answer, the Deputy First Minister will return to Parliament with her proposals. I have got a number of supplementaries. I would hope to get them all in, but brief supplementaries. Please, David Torrance, first. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Does the minister agree that the straightforward and quickest way of incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child would have been for a bill that Parliament unanimously voted for, receiving royal assent without objection from UK Government law officers? Yes, I do. I agree with that, Mr Torrance. The Supreme Court judgment makes it plain that we are constitutionally prohibited from enacting legislation that the Scottish Parliament unanimously decided was needed to enshrine and fully protect the rights of our children. This Government believes that the children of Scotland deserve to have the commitments made to them fulfilled, and our determination to do that is undiminished. It is with urgency that we are carefully considering the implications of the judgment and how best to take forward this important legislation. It has been over a month since the Scottish Government was told that its bill went beyond the powers available to the Scottish Parliament. Tax payers money has been spent so that SNP can play cynical constitutional games with children's rights. Therefore, can I ask the minister whether she believes that using almost £200,000 of tax payers money to further their national agenda is appropriate use of public funds? Can we listen to the response, please, all sides? Perhaps the member being a new member is not aware that her party also voted for that legislation. It was voted for unanimously by this Parliament. I have asked for a bit of quiet so that we can hear the response. It is very difficult when you have the opposing benches shouting over you. The Parliament is committed to ensuring that the children of Scotland's rights are upheld and respected. We will continue to work to make sure that that happens. Both front benches were engaged in shouting over others, so I ask for a bit of courtesy for speakers. I am going to have a final, brief supplementary answer called Hamilton. The Government talks about moving with urgency and being bitterly disappointed, yet it could foresee that that would have happened when whitehall officials in the process of the bill had informed Government officials that there were problems. We were never told on opposition benches to the left or right of those problems during the transit of the bill. They could have easily remedied at that stage. Will the Government now take this opportunity to explain to the children of Scotland why they withheld that information? I am not quite sure what point Mr Cole-Hamilton is making there, as he seems to be asking several questions of which I am not quite sure what he was actually wanting me to respond to. The duty of this Government is to ensure that children of Scotland have their rights respected. We will continue to work at pace to ensure that the will of this Parliament is upheld. Question 5, Liz Smith. To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to protect the autonomy of Scotland's universities. The autonomy of Scotland's universities is protected through their legal status as independent charitable bodies. The higher education government Scotland Act 2016 also expanded the statutory definition of academic freedom, requiring our universities to uphold the academic freedom of persons engaged in teaching or the provision of learning or research at the university. Liz Smith. I thank the minister for that reply. I am sure that he agrees that both university autonomy, which includes the academic freedom that he has just referred to, has been part of the success of the university system for hundreds of years precisely because it protects institutional diversity and specialisation. The system reflects the likes of the Royal Conservatoire Rural College and Glasgow School of Art. Does the minister accept that recent developments were to free speech in the university system, both at UK and Scottish level, threatened to undermine the concepts of autonomy and academic freedom? Will he explain to Parliament what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that university autonomy is never diminished? I understand why the question is being asked. In my experience, I have not had a single institution contact me or a single academic contact me expressing concerns about what the system here in Scotland is operating to. Our responsibility is to ensure that we enshrine, protect the autonomy of institutions and, indeed, academics. That is enshrined in the Higher Education Government Scotland Act 2016. We expect institutions to adhere to that. Of course, the definition sets out the academic freedom that includes the freedom within the law to hold and express opinions, question and test established ideas or to see wisdom develop and advance new ideas or invent proposals or present controversial or unpopular points of view. Our university should be able to do that. I see nothing that incumbers them from being able to do that. Question 6, Pam Gosall. To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that the education curriculum provides pupils with sufficient skills to build a digital economy. Cabinet Secretary, curriculum for excellence, experiences and outcomes for the technologies have been reviewed to ensure that all young people are learning up-to-date computing and digital skills in both primary and secondary schools. In addition, the Government has committed to fully implementing the Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review carried out last year by Mark Logan. Part of that review is the Scottish Teacher's Advancing Computing Science initiative, which was announced in our programme for government. That will run for and by computing science teachers helping them to share best practice in computing science across all schools, promoting digital sector career opportunities and developing innovative teaching materials to be used for extracurricular computing clubs. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Official figures have revealed that there were 766 computing science teachers responsible for 25,000 pupils in Scotland in 2008, but by 2020 there were 595 teachers educating fewer than 10,000 pupils and less than 2,000 of those were female. What action has been taken to address the gender divide in the computer science studies? Some of the discussions that we have had in relation to a previous question touched on the work that the Logan review has proposed. As I said in my answer to that, there is already a great deal of action being undertaken by Education Scotland and other agencies. That includes our work to increase capacity for initial teacher education for computing science, support for coding clubs and work to make it easier for schools to work with industry and bring industry voices into schools, as I also mentioned earlier. In response to the Logan review, we are taking forward the STAC's proposal to establish that teacher-led group. In relation to the gender issue, which Ms Gozo rightly points out, there is a concern around that in all stem areas. It is something that is in the Scottish Government's stem education strategy that was produced. It is something that we are determined to take further action on, as we did in that strategy, to ensure that we can deal with that gender divide. The current Secretary of State for Education, who has added investment in new facilities, can also be a catalyst to improving both interest and skillset with regard to the digital economy, which therefore makes the case for a new-build West College Scotland campus in Greenock, even more stronger. I agree that good quality learning opportunities that develop digital skills for our young people are vital at all stages in the education journey, including our colleges. I understand the minister for higher and further education visited the Greenock campus of West College Scotland with Mr McMillan in September. I heard first hand about the benefits that a new-build campus could bring. Of course, he will be aware that the Scottish Funding Council has been working on a medium-term college estate strategy, which will help to set priorities for investment should funding become available in the college sector, and we will work closely with the funding council in taking that forward. Very grateful, Deputy Presiding Officer. Could the cabinet secretary tell us how many high schools are offering higher computing this year? If the member would be agreeable, I will get to him in writing about the particulars on this issue. I am not entirely sure that that exact figure is in my briefing. Question 7 has been withdrawn. Question 8. Christine Grahame. We have some assistance from Ms Grahame. Expectation levels have risen to an almost unsustainable level. Then I am doomed to fail, your deputy, Presiding Officer. To ask the Scottish Government what improvements it considers it has made in the delivery of education in Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale. Schools and early learning and childcare settings across Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale have benefited from a range of national and targeted initiatives to support the improved delivery of education. 1140 hours of high quality funded early learning and childcare, pupil equity funding and the £500 million of Covid funding to support education recovery and wellbeing when it will improve outcomes for children at a local level at our £2 billion learning estate. Investment programme is funding a number of projects in Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, including a replacement at Beaslack the Community High School, Penicook High School, Gallowshills Academy and Peebles High School. I thank the cabinet secretary for a detailed answer. Following the admission after four years by Scottish Borders Council of liability for its failings in relation to some of my constituents' children attending Tweeddale's support unit, currently subject to an independent inquiry to which I shall be giving evidence, what improvements specifically has the Scottish Government made to support children with additional support needs and their families in my constituency and elsewhere in Scotland? My thoughts are very much with the children and the families that have been affected by any issue of concern in any part of our education system. All children, of course, have the right to be cared for and protected from harm and to grow up in a safe environment in which their rights are respected and their needs met. I do note that Scottish Borders Council's announcement of an independent inquiry would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage, but I recognise Ms Grahame's continued involvement and concern around the issue. I give her my reassurance. I will keep a close eye on the proceedings on this and I would be happy to discuss those issues with her in due course, should that be more appropriate once that inquiry has taken place. Thank you, cabinet secretary. That concludes portfolio questions and there will be a slight pause as the front bench is changing.