Minister setting ‘bad example’ for school children after missing questions

Scotland’s Education Secretary has been accused of setting a “bad example” for children after reportedly skipping Holyrood questions on school violence to campaign for her party.

Scottish Labour MSP Neil Bibby said Jenny Gilruth must explain to Parliament why she did not make her own portfolio questions.

The Labour MSP said the minister should release her diary and list any changes made to it.

“Failure to do this can only create the impression the Cabinet Secretary has been discourteous and disrespectful to this Parliament,” he said.

The minister was set to face questions from MSPs last week, which followed an alleged knife attack at a school in Aberdeen that left a girl in hospital.

Ms Gilruth did not appear at Parliament for the questions but later shared a picture on social media campaigning in Glenrothes with an SNP councillor.

Speaking at Holyrood on Tuesday, Mr Bibby said MSPs had turned up to discuss school violence, vaping in schools and access to childcare, among other issues.

Not only is this a bad example to set Scotland's school children by skipping education questions, which presumably would have been in the minister's diary for weeks, if not months

He said: “While I and many others were in attendance, unfortunately, the Cabinet Secretary for Education was not here to address those important questions.

“For context, Presiding Officer, this question time took place hours after a serious incident at an Aberdeen school and in the week before pupils start their SQA exams.

“A spokesperson for the Cabinet Secretary told the press she had a mix of government and party meetings and events in the course of the day.

“A source later confirmed the non-attendance here was not due to government business.

“No extenuating circumstances, justifiable reasons or apology has been given for this no-show.

“Not only is this a bad example to set Scotland’s school children by skipping education questions, which presumably would have been in the ministerial diary for weeks, if not months.

“Worse than that, it appears Jenny Gilruth may have prioritised party interests over her responsibilities to Parliament and by extension the country.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “Diary commitments meant that the Education Secretary was unable to attend Portfolio Questions last week. The Higher Education Minister answered questions on the Education Secretary’s behalf.”