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The Army Cadet Force has developed a distinct Scottish approach where community-based Cadet Linked Detachments are working in partnership with a number of state schools to deliver elective learning opportunities which support Curriculum for Excellence. This differs from the UK Government model where the Cadet Unit is hosted within the school itself. All contributions negotiated by state schools with community-based Linked Detachments are elective activities. No young people have to participate if they do not wish to do so.

One of the benefits of curriculum for excellence is the flexibility which enables practitioners to tailor their curriculum to the needs of the learners in their own local circumstances. For example, there are opportunities to teach about peace education within: learning for sustainability, global citizenship and the Social Studies curriculum guidelines.

There has been no change in policy. The Scottish Government continues to support a distinct Scottish approach to developing cadet forces, with the syllabus integrated into Curriculum for Excellence, rather than following the UK Government model with the school ‘hosting’ a Cadet Unit which does not contribute to the curriculum.

The research published in the Oxford Review of Education by Jerrim et al, PISA 2015: how big is the ‘mode effect’ and what has been done about it? refers specifically to a PISA assessment that was available in both paper and computer-based formats. The learners involved did not have the same experience.

Research shows that there are advantages and disadvantages to both modes of assessment. The computer-based assessment is adaptive, getting more or less challenging dependent on how a learner responds. This tailors the questions to the needs and progress of each individual learner in ‘real time’. Computer-based assessment provides a breadth of diagnostic information in a number of formats and does not require teacher time to mark the answers. These are key factors in the Scottish National Standardised Assessments.

The Scottish National Standardised Assessments are a level playing field: all learners are presented with computer-based assessments, therefore there is a clear and fair baseline. The Assessments are not high stakes and there is no pass or fail. The key measure of achieving a Curriculum for Excellence level is teacher professional judgement. The Scottish National Standardised Assessments are one part of a range of evidence available to teachers when making this judgement.

As noted in the answer to S5W-16171 on 10 May 2018 the research published in the Oxford Review of Education by Jerrim et al, PISA 2015: how big is the ‘mode effect’ and what has been done about it? refers specifically to a PISA assessment that was available in both paper and computer-based formats. The learners involved did not have the same experience.

The Scottish Government believes computer-based assessment is the best mode for this type of activity. Computer-based assessments are adaptive getting more or less challenging dependent on how a learner responds. This tailors the questions to the needs and progress of each individual learner in ‘real time’. Computer-based assessment provides a breadth of diagnostic information in a number of formats and does not require teacher time to mark the answers.

The Scottish National Standardised Assessments are a level playing field: all learners are presented with computer-based assessments, therefore there is a clear and fair baseline unlike assessments that have been made available in both paper and computer-based formats.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Under the current arrangements, students can apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for full funding for one full undergraduate degree. Students who undertake a second degree are eligible for living-cost loans and, where applicable, additional living costs grants (e.g. Disabled Students, Lone Parent Grant); they are generally not eligible for bursary or tuition fee support.

However, under a Scottish Government concession, in addition to the above, second degree medicine and dentistry students are also eligible for tuition fee and bursary support, from their fifth year of study onwards.

From academic year 2018-2019 eligible students can apply to the new Scottish Graduate Entry Medical Programme (ScotGEM). This will be available to eligible students who already hold a degree and want to move into medicine as a career. The Scottish Government will pay the tuition fees for Scottish domiciled and EU students who are accepted onto the ScotGEM programme.

We are fully committed to our International Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Scottish Government and its enterprise agencies do not provide funding for the manufacture of munitions. Rather, our agencies’ support is focused on helping firms to diversify and to develop non-military applications for their technology.

While matters of defence are reserved to the UK Government, we believe it is of paramount importance to ensure appropriate defence and security capabilities are maintained. With regards to how those capabilities are deployed, it is our firm position that the use of military force should only be sanctioned by Governments where it is lawful to do so and is in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.

We have been very clear in our expectation that the UK Government, given it's responsibilities, should properly police the export of arms and investigate whenever concerns are raised.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-16054 on‎ 1 May 2018. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

On the contrary, our Switched on Scotland roadmap clearly states that we will provide loans until at least 2020. The level of funding is agreed on an annual basis subject to the overall Scottish Government budget.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-16029 on‎ 1 May 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .