In brief...Pupils' attendance at

Pupils' attendance at school could be improved by parents, schools and education authorities and communities working together, said minister for education, Europe and external affairs, Jack McConnell. The latest pupil attendance and absence figures were published by HM Inspectors of Schools last week. Mr McConnell said good progress had been made towards meeting targets to minimise absence from primary school. 'However, there is still room for improvement and this continues to be a priority in our approach to raising standards in Scotland's schools,' he said.