NICOLA Sturgeon has accused a Labour MSP of making a “deeply irresponsible” contribution to a Holyrood debate after he claimed her government had “done nothing” to keep schools open during the pandemic.

Michael Marra, MSP for the North East Scotland region, put questions on education to the First Minister following her Covid-19 update in the Scottish Parliament.

During her announcement, Sturgeon said Holyrood’s education advisory subgroup would be meeting to look at further measures that could be brought in to keep schools safe during the new term.

She said she understands that with the spread of Omicron, parents may be anxious about schools, adding that she expects there will soon be further advice on issues like ventilation.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon asks Scots to minimise contact amid Omicron

But Labour MSP Marra used his question to attack the Scottish Government over its protective measures in schools.

“Test and Protect has been abandoned in classrooms and there’s been no action beyond opening some windows on classroom ventilation,” he claimed.

“Further to this the promised laptops for all are not in the hands of pupils. This Government has done nothing to help keep schools open and done nothing to help prepare them in case of closing.

"Can we assume the Government will be working now to ensure after two years maximum safety measures in place so that schools definitely reopen in January.”

READ MORE: Michael Marra MSP blames SNP voters for ‘jeopardising Labour support in England’

“I’m just going to be blunt, presiding officer, I think that was a deeply irresponsible contribution,” Sturgeon told the Chamber.

“Not only irresponsible because it mischaracterises the position of Test and Protect – it’s an insult to those who are working in Test and Protect to help schools stay safe every single day on a risk-based approach, trying to strike the right balance between protection and keeping children’s education.

“We distributed laptops and connections to tens of thousands of children earlier in the pandemic, having identified those most at risk, and we’ll continue to do everything we can to keep schools open. Because as we see today in the attainment figures, that is really important for the sake of children’s learning and education.

"As I say that, I absolutely accept that schools must also be safe for children and for staff – which is why we’ve given local authorities additional resources to help with ventilation, and the education advisory sub-group is looking at all this again right now.

She went on: “By all means scrutinise this, but don’t please, in the midst of this crisis, come to this Chamber and irresponsibly mischaracterise the situation.”