Commentary on Sections Part 1: School Education Section 2: National Improvement Framework
13.This section inserts new sections 3C and 3D into the 2000 Act. Section 3C requires the Scottish Ministers to prepare a statutory National Improvement Framework for Scottish education, to be published and annually reviewed by the Scottish Ministers. The National Improvement Framework is prepared in pursuance of the duty imposed on the Scottish Ministers by section 3(1) of the 2000 Act (duty to endeavour to secure improvement in the quality of school education provided in Scotland). In reviewing the Framework, the Scottish Ministers must seek and have regard to the views of specified persons (education authorities, representatives of teachers, pupils and parents) and must evidence the way in which this has been achieved.
14.Section 3D of the 2000 Act requires that where education authorities endeavour to secure improvement in the quality of school education under section 3(2) of the 2000 Act, they must do so with a view to achieving the strategic priorities set out in the National Improvement Framework. In this context, school education requires to be education directed to the development of the personality, talents and mental and physical abilities of the child or young person to their fullest potential (as described in section 2 of the 2000 Act).
15.Finally, section 2(3) repeals section 4 (national priorities in education) and section 5 (education authority’s annual statement of improvement objectives) of the 2000 Act and section 2(4) makes consequential amendments to the interpretation provisions in section 58(1) of the 2000 Act.