Cathy Jamieson will lead the consultation process

Ms Jamieson wants the debate to provide answers to "fundamental questions" such as why children need to learn and who should help them to do so.

She said: "Every so often, it is important to challenge ourselves by asking some fundamental questions about education and our schools.

"We need to ask what school education is for. We need to ask what things we want it to cover.

"We need to ask how we want to deliver it, who should be involved and what skills they will need.

"We need to ask when we want to deliver it - when in young people's lives, when in the year and when in the day."

Jackie Baillie and the education committee will also study the issue

The minister said briefing packs would be sent to every education authority and school in Scotland, as well as to parents' organisations, teaching unions and young people's groups.

Jackie Baillie, a member of Holyrood's education committee, agreed that it was important to look to the future in education.

Ms Baillie said: "The aim is to think in a more visionary way, but that's not to say the debate should be about abstract matters.

"It must feed into real policy developments over the next decade."

Issues that both questioning processes are likely to tackle include;

• What role parents, teachers and the local community should take in governing schools, as well as how education can promote citizenship

• Children's rights, the culture of "laddism" and the reasons behind poor performance by some boys and girls

• Racism in schools, Scottish cultural identity and faith-based schooling

Scottish National Party education spokesman Mike Russell gave the minister's statement "a partial welcome".

Mike Russell gave the move a cautious welcome

But he added: "When the SNP called for a debate on education in 1998, Helen Liddell, then the education minister, said such a debate would be a diversionary tactic to avoid answering questions about our education policy."

Mr Russell said a debate was needed, but the proper place for that was in the education committee.

"I'm sorry the executive is duplicating that," he added.

Brian Monteith, for the Tories, welcomed the "fine words" and went on: "The sentiments are fine.

"It is important we ensure every child has the best possible chance in life."

Brian Monteith sought assurances about openness

But he said the minister had pledged not to impose the views of the executive without consultation.

"Does this mean the minister will impose the executive views after consultation?" he said.

And the minister's statement had "admitted" there were limits to the area of debate - by specifying, for example, that the role of local authorities would be "maintained".

Mr Monteith quoted the views of a former head of policy for Henry McLeish, who suggested local authorities should not provide education, but that funding should go direct to schools who would then "buy in" services from local authorities.

"I do seek assurance that the debate will be worthwhile, that doors will not be closed to genuine ideas," he added.