Nicola Sturgeon has committed to working with parties across Holyrood to deliver her “defining mission” of improving education.
The first minister said there is a “clear progressive majority” for her to work with in the Scottish Parliament, after recent elections saw the SNP fail to return a majority.
Despite deciding to form a minority government, Ms Sturgeon also said independence remains “a position backed by a majority of MSPs” as she pledged to make widening access to education her main priority for the next five years.
But Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, now at the head of Scotland’s second largest party, said the government has “more than enough to be getting on with” instead of re-launching its independence campaign.
Scottish Labour, who had earlier announced their frontbench team, questioned the SNP’s progressive credentials, accusing it of “cynicism” by attacking Tory austerity in Westminster when ministers could reverse it at Holyrood.
Ms Sturgeon’s speech outlining the priorities for her government confirmed that a number of manifesto pledges would be introduced, including a baby box.
She said: “As I have already made clear, the defining mission of this government will be education.
“That is because we want every child to have a fair chance in life and because we know that a good education is the foundation of that.”
She also pledged to “continue to build the case for Scotland to become independent” – insisting this is “a position backed by a majority of MSPs in this chamber” since the six Green MSPs are also in favour of taking Scotland out of the UK.
But she stressed: “Scotland will only become independent if and when a majority of the people are persuaded, and we also know that our job is to govern, at all times, for all the people of this country.”
MSPs also backed plans to extend the weekly First Minister’s Questions from half an hour to 45 minutes, allowing more time for backbench members to challenge Ms Sturgeon.
The SNP leader also said she would consider ideas from other parties – notably the Greens’ suggestion of a young carers’ allowance and Labour proposals to expand the minor ailments service.
But Ms Davidson said: “The test for us when deciding whether to support or oppose this government will be whether we are helping or hindering growth.
“We will call out short-sighted fixes or tax raids born of envy rather than common sense.”
Labour leader Kezia Dugdale made an appeal for tax rises to invest in education, which had formed a key part of her election platform.
The comments came after her party, who slumped to their worst election defeat since 1910, announced their frontbench team.
A number of new MSPs have taken up positions, including former MP Anas Sarwar, who will take on the health portfolio.
The north-east’s Lewis Macdonald was also promoted to a senior position, taking on the Culture, Sport and Tourism brief.
