Meeting of the Parliament, Continued (Accessible)

Portfolio Questions Education and Skills Martin Whitfield S6O-05443 1. [Not Lodged] Alexander Stewart S6O-05444 2. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the availability of permanent teaching posts for newly qualified teachers. Alexander Burnett S6O-05445 3. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the recruitment of teachers in rural areas. Willie Rennie S6O-05446 4. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that newly qualified teachers are able to secure stable, long-term employment, in light of recent reports that only one in four newly qualified teachers secured permanent posts in 2024-25. George Adam S6O-05447 5. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the establishment of the Centre for Teaching Excellence. Stephen Kerr S6O-05448 6. To ask the Scottish Government how many new teachers, who qualified in the last three years, are now in permanent teaching posts. James Dornan S6O-05449 7. To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on raising attainment levels in literacy and numeracy and closing any gap in attainment between children from the least and most deprived areas. Michael Matheson S6O-05450 8. [Not Lodged] followed by Stage 1 Debate: Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill Daniel Johnson That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill. Further details available for the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill followed by Stage 1 Debate: Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill Mark Ruskell S6M-20527 That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill. Further details available for S6M-20527 followed by Scottish Government Debate: Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Fruit and Vegetables) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft] Jim Fairlie S6M-20579 That the Parliament agrees that the Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Fruit and Vegetables) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft] be approved. Further details available for S6M-20579 followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill Gillian Martin (S6M-20549) That the Parliament agrees that the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill be passed. Further details available for S6M-20549 followed by Decision Time followed by Members’ Business: Michelle Thomson: Building Links with Bhutan Michelle Thomson (S6M-19514) That the Parliament welcomes the financial and administrative support from the Tam O’Shanter Trust for the recent parliamentary visit to Bhutan, and thanks Bhutan Homestay and the Loden Foundation for the additional in-country support, including arranging insightful meetings with entrepreneurs, parliamentarians and others; notes that Bhutan has a population approaching 800,000 and is set amidst the Himalayas, bordered by India and Tibet, and that its culture and governance are very different from Scotland; acknowledges its vibrant Buddhist heritage and magnificent cultural assets, including its numerous fortresses and temples, the best known of which is The Paro Taktsang, also known as the Tiger’s Nest, which is a legendary monastery that hangs precariously on the edge of a 3,120m-tall cliff; appreciates that Bhutan is notable for its use of a national happiness index to assess progress and is ranked as one of the top 20 least corrupt countries in the world; understands that its political and institutional development is less mature and very different from Scotland’s, but that there are areas where a sharing of innovative practice may prove mutually beneficial, such as on climate change, population retention, entrepreneurship, and education and skills; commends the work undertaken by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to document and conserve Bhutan’s rich plant diversity; notes the view that there are opportunities to further develop relationships with Bhutan and that active consideration should be given to forming a Cross Party Group on Bhutan, with members from both Scotland and Bhutan, and including academic and cultural communities; further notes the view that there could be a useful focus on developing cultural links to enjoy and appreciate the countries' different cultural assets, and notes the invitation for the Loden Foundation to work with friends in Scotland, including those in the Falkirk East constituency. Further details available for S6M-19514