Holyrood ERUPTS as shameless Sturgeon tries to claim independence ISN'T her first priority
THIS is the moment the Scottish Parliament erupted into fits of laughter after Nicola Sturgeon claimed education was her “top priority”.
Scottish Parliament laughs as Sturgeon talks about education
The gaffe comes after Kezia Dugdale ripped into the First Minister over her desire for Scottish independence and questioned her record on education.
Speaking during First Minister’s Questions, the Scottish Labour leader blasted the SNP for Scotland “declining” in educational attainment.
She said: “The First Minister used to claim education was her number one priority, even she doesn’t claim that anymore.
Kezia Dugdale laughed uncontrollably when Nicola Sturgeon said her "top priority" was education
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Can the First Minister really keep a straight face and tell teachers, parents and pupils that once again education is her number one priority?
“After 10 years of SNP government Scottish education is facing challenges like never before, since the SNP took office there are 4,000 fewer teachers, a thousand fewer support staff and class sizes are bigger.
“International studies show Scotland is declining in maths, in reading and in science. [Deputy First Minister] John Swinney's response to this was to publish a mini-manifesto repeating the very promises he’s been breaking every year since 2007.”
Mrs Sturgeon hit back and insisted “education is my top priority”, which sparked a roar of laughter in the chamber.
Kezia Dugdale said Sturgeon's priority was Scottish independence, not education
She continued her speech as the laughter died down and said: “Kezia Dugdale doesn’t like to hear this but that’s why right now across Scotland headteachers and teachers have in their hands £120million of additional funding.
“That’s why local government services are better off to the tune of £400m under this SNP government.”
Ms Dugdale fired back and claimed the Scottish government believed it would take up to three years to fill 700 teaching vacancies in Scotland, according to leaked documents.
She said: “We all know Nicola Sturgeon will spend the next three years campaigning for independence.
“So can the First Minister really keep a straight face and tell teachers, parents and pupils that once again education is her number one priority?”