Mr McConnell said education would top Labour's agenda

Speaking to the Fabian Society in Edinburgh, he said education and learning would top Labour's agenda after next year's elections.

Mr McConnell added that the campaign would be the toughest in living memory, with strong competition from the SNP.

Nationalists said his comments were a distraction from Labour's poor record.

'Continuous learning'

The first minister said that while Scotland had a successful education system, a "tale of under achievement" was holding some Scots back.

He pledged "continuous, high quality learning and education" would be Scotland's strategy for the future.

"Our objective has to be that those at the bottom want to and can move more rapidly upwards," Mr McConnell said.

"I believe the best tool we have at our disposal is education. There is simply no better way to liberate individuals from poverty than exposing them to the wonders of learning and knowledge."

On Friday, Mr McConnell suggested youngsters could face a new test to show potential employers they have mastered the three Rs.

He said Scotland had "a basic problem" with instilling routine numeracy and literacy skills in a significant number of youngsters.

His idea of tests at 16 are too late for pupils who need help to be able to read and write for life Fiona Hyslop SNP

The Scottish National Party's spokeswoman on education and lifelong learning, Fiona Hyslop, said his comments were a distraction from his own party's failure to cut class sizes after nine years in power.

She said: "His idea of tests at 16 are too late for pupils who need help to be able to read and write for life not just get through an exam on the day.

"That's why the SNP's plans for government would mean that Scotland's school pupils would have more one-to-one time with a teacher by delivering smaller class sizes.