PART 5 Education, Skills and Q&A Employment Early Learning and Childcare 224. Could an independent Scotland provide childcare at a reasonable cost? Yes. The current Scottish Government proposes a transformation in early years learning and childcare provision. Independence will give us the opportunity to invest more in the supply of services, rather than subsidising demand. This is the approach adopted in the most successful countries and will ensure resources are spent most effectively, and make childcare more affordable for all. 225. What would independence mean for early learning and childcare? Independence gives us the opportunity to do more to deliver world-class early learning and childcare. As a first step in realising this transformational vision, this Government plans to extend the current provision of 600 hours a year to around half of two year olds in the first budget of an independent Scotland. Those whose parents are currently on working tax credit or child tax credit will benefit. We aim, by the end of the first term of an independent Scottish Parliament, to increase this entitlement to 1,140 hours for all three and four year olds, and vulnerable two year olds. Our long-term objective is that by the end of the second Parliament all children from age one to when they enter school will have an entitlement to 1,140 hours a year of high quality early learning and childcare, giving young children the same number of hours as primary school children. 226. What will maternity and paternity rights, and flexible parental leave look like in an independent Scotland? Powers over these issues will transfer to the Scottish Parliament on independence. On independence, parents will continue to have the same maternity and paternity rights as now, with future Scottish governments then able to decide how the system of parental support should be improved. 447 298070_Q&A Chapters_FIN.indd 447 19/11/2013 14:05 PART 5 Education, Skills and Q&A Employment Schools 227. What would independence mean for education in Scotland? Education is already almost fully devolved to Scotland. Our system is performing well. Scottish pupils outperform the OECD average in reading and science, and are similar to it in maths, and the latest results show that we have halted a period of relative international decline since 2000. These improvements, achieved under devolution, show that when decisions are made in Scotland better results are achieved for Scotland. Our detailed proposals for education in an independent Scotland are set out in Chapter 5. 228. What will independence mean for schools? The management of the school system in Scotland is already fully devolved. 229. What educational rights would people expect in an independent Scotland? This Government believes that Scotland’s permanent written constitution should include the right to education and the right for every young person to be offered a job or training. 230. What will independence mean for denominational schools? The present system will continue. Faith-based education makes an important and valued contribution to Scottish society and the right of parents to make that choice for their children will remain. 231. What will independence mean for skills and training in Scotland? Independence offers Scotland an opportunity fully to mobilise its resources to build a skilled workforce ready to meet demand. At the moment, the financial benefits of successful employment initiatives by the Scottish Government – such as Modern Apprenticeships, higher and further education funding and other training programmes – go to Westminster in the form of reduced welfare payments and increased taxation. With independence we will be able to retain these benefits in Scotland and will be able to re-invest them in our people. 448 298070_Q&A Chapters_FIN.indd 448 19/11/2013 14:05 232. What will independence mean for Gaelic? Gaelic has been a continuing element in Scottish heritage, identity and history for many centuries. Gaelic has official recognition and it is an increasingly visible part of Scottish public life reaching into education, the arts, media and broadcasting. In an independent Scotland, Gaelic will have a central place in Scottish public life. 233. What would the priorities be for Gaelic in an independent Scotland? Our aim as a government would be to continue to reverse the decline of Gaelic in Scotland. The most recent Census has demonstrated that initiatives in support of Gaelic have significantly slowed down the decline of the language. Policy and resources would continue to be directed to the priority of increasing the numbers speaking, learning and using the language. 234. Will Gaelic be recognised as an official language in an independent Scotland? In Scotland, Gaelic has a significant level of official support from the Scottish Government. Official recognition for Gaelic is also provided by the 2005 Gaelic Act. In an independent Scotland this official recognition would be confirmed and maintained. 235. Will there be more support for the Scots Language in an independent Scotland? The 2011 Census, for the first time, provided information on the numbers of Scots speakers. This information, in an independent Scotland, will assist in developing policy and promoting the use and status of the Scots language and supporting communities that speak Scots. University Access, Tuition Fees and Cross-border Flow 236. Will students resident in Scotland be able to go to university in Scotland without paying fees? Yes. The current Scottish Government remains committed to access to higher education for eligible Scots based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay. This means eligible undergraduate students attending university in an independent Scotland will not have to pay tuition fees. 449 298070_Q&A Chapters_FIN.indd 449 19/11/2013 14:05 PART 5 Education, Skills and Q&A Employment 237. Would Scotland still charge students from the rest of the UK tuition fees? Yes. The divergence in funding policy between Scotland and England and the resulting disparity in the cost of a university education creates a huge financial incentive for students from England to study in Scotland. In that context, and to ensure Scottish students remain able to study at Scottish Higher Education Institutions, we propose maintaining the status quo by continuing our policy of allowing Scottish Higher Education Institutions to set their own annual tuition fees for students from the rest of the UK at a rate no higher than the maximum annual tuition fee rate chargeable to such students by universities in the rest of the UK. 238. Would charging students from the rest of the UK tuition fees in an independent Scotland be compatible with EU law? We believe that the unique and unprecedented position of a post-independent Scotland will enable us to continue our current policy in a way which is consistent with the principles of free movement across the EU as a whole and which is compatible with EU requirements. 239. Are you confident that the Court of Justice of the EU will support this position? Each member state is free to adopt its own domestic policies, consistent with the objectives of the EU. We believe that our fees policies contribute to student mobility across the wider EU, while addressing the consequences of the unique situation of Scottish independence. In these circumstances we believe that it will be possible to deliver our policy in a way which is compatible with EU requirements. 240. Will students from parts of the EU other than the rest of the UK pay tuition fees? Students from other parts of the EU have the same right of access to education as home students. This means EU applicants are considered for entry on the same academic basis as home students and pay the same. This will remain the case with independence. 450 298070_Q&A Chapters_FIN.indd 450 19/11/2013 14:05 241. Will other international (non-EU) students be attracted to study in an independent Scotland? Scottish Universities are amongst the best in the world and highly attractive to overseas students. In January 2013, 21 per cent of students studying in Scotland were from outwith the UK, including 28,500 international students from outwith the EU. This world beating quality will ensure an independent Scotland continues to attract the brightest and best students from around the world to study here. Independence will allow Scotland to develop its own immigration policies addressing the negative impact of changes to student visas implemented by the current Westminster Government. This will ensure that we benefit from the skills and enthusiasm of those highly educated young people who wish to study here and make Scotland their home. 242. Will non-EU/international students be charged tuition fees? Charges for international students are at the discretion of each individual higher education institution and this will continue to be the case in an independent Scotland. 243. Will the Westminster Government’s policy on visas for international students continue to apply in an independent Scotland? Westminster Government decisions on student visas have deterred some international students, posing a direct threat to Scotland’s universities and colleges. Independence will allow Scotland to develop its own immigration system ensuring that we benefit from the skills and enthusiasm of those highly educated young people who wish to make Scotland their home. Our proposals on visa arrangement for international students are set out in Chapter 7. 451 298070_Q&A Chapters_FIN.indd 451 19/11/2013 14:05 PART 5 Education, Skills and Q&A Employment 244. Will there still be four-year degrees in an independent Scotland? The current Scottish Government believes the flexibility of the four-year degree and potential for progression through the currently available direct entry routes is a strength of the sector. The Government intends that an independent Scotland will continue with this and will support any moves to increase choices and flexibility for our students.