Scottish
Parliament e-Brief
SECTION
1 - BUSINESS THIS WEEK
Parliament is in recess.
SECTION 2 - NEWS
First
minister Learning from the American school system
High achieving American schools
which stretch the very best pupils in subjects like maths, science and
technology are going to become familiar with the sight of Scotland's First
Minister, Jack McConnell, this week.
In the past Mr McConnell has visited a number of US schools in neighbourhoods with high crime and social problems which were using creative methods to address the challenges associated with this.
This week he will visit schools in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC at the top end of the spectrum to see if any of the practices they use can help to improve Scotland's schools and, in the words of the First Minister, "stretch our best pupils so that they become the best of the best."
The First Minister is to be accompanied on his visit by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, Graham Donaldson, and the Director of CBI Scotland, Iain McMillan. He said to be accompanied by such a "formidable pairing" was an indication of how serious Scotland is about improving schools and growing the economy, and just how willing the likes of the HMIE and CBI are to lend their expertise and go out of their way to help.
Today the First Minister also launched the Executive's US Strategy, which was recently approved by the Scottish Cabinet. The strategy was launched in Los Angeles and sets out clear targets in areas such as the number of American tourists coming to Scotland. It will also pinpoint seven US states where the Executive will focus its efforts over the next five years.
Animal
mutilation consultation launched
Views are being sought on plans
to ban acts of animal mutilation in Scotland under new laws which came into
force earlier this month.
The consultation follows the introduction of the Animal Health and Welfare Act, which establishes a duty of care for animal owners and introduces a maximum prison sentence of 12 months and fines of up to £20,000 for anyone guilty of causing unnecessary suffering.
The consultation will cover issues including castrations, ear tagging, tail docking and branding. It will run for 12 weeks until 5 January 2007 and will be sent to around 3,000 groups with an interest in animal welfare.
The consultation is online at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/10/12104247/0
SECTION
3 - NOTES ON THIS WEEK’S CHAMBER BUSINESS
Parliament is in recess.
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