James Dornan MSP elected convener of the Scottish Parliament’s education committee

The SNP’s James Dornan has been installed as the convener of the Scottish Parliament’s new Education and Skills committee.

As the party’s nominee for the position, the Glasgow Cathcart MSP was elected unopposed to the role, which will play a crucial role in scrutinising the Scottish Government’s high-profile education reforms throughout the parliamentary session.

Former Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont was selected as the committee’s deputy convener.

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Dornan began by paying tribute to his predecessor Stewart Maxwell, who lost his list seat at the election. “As a substitute member of the committee I saw for myself the good job he did as convener, so I have big shoes to fill in that role,” he said.

The work programme of the committee will be informed by both the work of the previous committee and by the SNP’s programme for government, which will highlight tackling the attainment gap.

“I’m interested in understanding properly what we mean by the attainment gap. I don’t think it’s just young people who can’t access university. There are people who fall off the radar a lot earlier,” said Lamont.

Colin Beattie suggested the committee meet around the country at points during the session to encourage engagement.