This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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School reforms take to international stage
14/11/2004
Scotland's bid to climb further up the premier league of international education kicks off tomorrow at the start of International Education Week.
After representing the UK at part of the EU Council of Education Ministers in Brussels, Peter Peacock will meet his counterparts from Finland and Germany to discuss plans to strengthen comparisons between Scotland's education performance and that of other countries.
The Executive's recently unveiled school reforms - described as "the most comprehensive schools modernisation programme in a generation" - aim to ensure Scotland remains a world-class player.
In a recent study of over 30 countries, Scotland ranked fifth and sixth in the world for maths and reading.
Ministers want Scotland to take part in more studies of this type to measure international performance and ensure the country is continuing to compete globally.
Mr Peacock said:
"Scottish education more than holds its own in Britain, Europe and the wider world. We are in the international premier league.
"But just as we must continue to reach higher at home, we must continue to reach higher globally.
"Our education system needs to compete internationally, as our young people will increasingly have to compete internationally.
"Scotland is a strong part of the UK and we benefit from being part of a strong UK within Europe.
"I'll be using my time in Brussels to meet informally with fellow Education Ministers and secure a shared commitment to learning from each other and developing an international benchmark against which we can all measure improvements."
Other Executive activity to boost the international dimension of Scottish education includes:
- Signing a formal declaration of education co-operation with France
- Exploring opportunities for educational collaboration with China, following the First Minister's recent visit there
- Hosting a series of education seminars in Scotland House, Brussels, to allow other European countries to learn more about Scottish education
- Hosting the 5th annual Scottish International Education Conference (next Tuesday November 23) and bringing together over 100 delegates from countries including France, Spain, Poland, Pakistan and the Ukraine
- Investing £330,000 to participate further in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS)
The Executive unveiled a package of school reforms under the banner Ambitious, Excellent Schools on November 1.
Among the 12 key actions included "more international comparisons between Scotland's education performance and that of other countries to ensure Scotland continues to compete internationally".
Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace will sign a declaration of education co-operation with the French Minister for Education, Youth and Research in Paris on St Andrew's Day - Tuesday, November 30.