Party promises smaller class sizes

The SNP say small is beautiful

Reduced class sizes and vocational teaching in schools are part of the SNP's "vision" of a new education system.

Their education spokesman told the Inverness conference he would reduce the number of pupils in primary school classes.

Michael Russell said vocational education would be made available to all third and fourth year pupils in Scottish secondary schools.

Secondary schools would form partnerships with further education colleges.

Michael Russell said education is a bedrock

Mr Russell won unanimous support for the resolution after he told delegates: "Our policies on class sizes are right, our policies on assessment are right and I would argue all of these policies are right at the right time.

"We can't do everything, but with education we can make a very good start."

Mr Russell described education as the "bedrock of our society" and said the process of providing better education services started at nursery school level.

Give the young people of Scotland the start in life they need and deserve

Michael Russell

He said: "Much work has been done throughout the world on measuring the effect of class sizes.

"None of it supports the Scottish Executive's half-hearted measures to take classes to 30 or below."

Mr Russell also attacked the government's stance on education. He said: "In 1997 Tony Blair claimed that his inspiration was education, education, education.

"But since then his delivery of education in Scotland has been in the hands of a cast which would frighten even the most addicted viewer of the Hammer House of Horrors."

Linguistic traditions

The SNP leader, John Swinney, has reaffirmed the party's pledge to deliver on Gaelic medium education.

He was speaking as he toured Gaelic language primary classes at a school in Inverness before the education debate.

Mr Swinney backed a Bill expected to be introduced by the SNP calling for Gaelic to be given secure status.

He said: "It's a lovely learning environment to see the children absorbed in learning about the Gaelic language and playing such an important part in strengthening our cultural and linguistic traditions within Scotland."