Sustainable Development Education

General Questions – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:00 pm on 25 November 2004.

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Photo of Robin Harper Robin Harper Green 2:00, 25 November 2004

My apologies for rising to a provocation this morning, Presiding Officer.

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with its progress in taking forward education for sustainable development in schools. (S2O-4285)

Photo of Euan Robson Euan Robson Liberal Democrat

The sustainable development education liaison group, which meets quarterly, continues to make progress. One of the group's early tasks was the commissioning and publication of a baseline research study of the status and provision of sustainable development education in other parts of the United Kingdom. The research has now been completed and the report is being circulated to education authorities throughout Scotland—I am sure that I could make a copy available to Mr Harper. The group has recruited a development officer to make progress with its programme of work from January next year.

Photo of Robin Harper Robin Harper Green

I am aware that that research has been completed and I would love to receive a copy. However, I am concerned that, despite a passing mention of sustainable development in the Minister for Education and Young People's foreword to the new curriculum framework document, there is no further mention of sustainable development in the substance of that document. Will the minister reassure members that the Executive's commitment to education on sustainable development will see its way into the heart of the new curriculum?

Photo of Euan Robson Euan Robson Liberal Democrat

Yes. Part of our proposal is to free up the curriculum to introduce choice and, clearly, sustainable development education will form part of that. It is not possible to restate commitments time after time in documents, but there is no doubt that we see that as the future and that we look forward to the subject being included in the new three to 18 curriculum, which will be the first such curriculum in Scotland.