The First Minister has pledged to put education at the heart of her government's programme for the year ahead.

Nicola Sturgeon will set out the legislative programme to MSPs in Holyrood on Tuesday.

The SNP leader told STV News to expect a "nuts and bolts" approach to governing the country with a focus on closing the attainment gap in education and improving the health service.

The programme comes on the day the Scottish Government announces 29 new or refurbished schools will open in this academic year.

Speaking ahead of her statement in Holyrood, Sturgeon said: "Today we will publish our programme for government - an ambitious plan to improve the lives of people across Scotland.

"Education is at the heart of our plans and I am committed to doing all I can to improve the life chances of every child and young person.

"Ensuring children are able to learn in new, modern, fit for purpose surroundings is a crucial part of this.

"By the end of this parliament we will have delivered 112 new or refurbished schools across every local authority in Scotland - more than double the number envisaged when the schools for the future programme started."

In the wake of the EU referendum result, the First Minister said her Cabinet would draw up legislation for a second independence referendum if the Scottish Government judged independence to be the only way to keep Scotland in the EU.

The government has not yet stated if the legislation for a referendum will be in the programme.

The Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Labour and the Scottish Liberal Democrats have all pledged to oppose any move for a second referendum on the constitutional question.

Ahead of the First Minister's announcement, the Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson called on the Scottish Government to tackle fuel poverty.

Davidson's party is now the second largest in the Scottish Parliament following May's election.

The Tories are calling on Sturgeon to adopt their manifesto pledge to ensure all homes in Scotland meet energy efficiency standards before 2021 by increasing government spending in the area.

Davidson said: "This is a chance for Nicola Sturgeon to show the country she is serious about being a First Minister for all.

"People don't want to hear more tub-thumping on independence, they want to know she is focused on the day job the SNP has neglected for so long.

"One measure we will be urging her to commit to is a guarantee for warmer homes.

She added: "We know it takes additional money and a shift in priorities, but the benefits of such a drive are obvious.

"Quite apart from the environmental impact - which is significant - living in a cold, damp home causes respiratory problems, worsens mental ill-health and creates a miserable living environment for people.

"But by following our proposals for warm homes for all, the Scottish Government could make a genuine positive impact on people's lives."

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale warned the First Minister not to waste her opportunity to use newly devolved powers.

On Thursday, Dugdale set out an alternative programme consisting of 13 bills which she believes the Scottish Government should adopt.

Dugdale said: "The SNP government today has the opportunity to lay a programme for government before the most powerful Scottish Parliament ever. They must not waste the opportunity to transform Scotland for the better.

"Labour has outlined our priorities for the programme for government, with an education bill to increase investment in our schools, a health and social care bill to make our NHS fit for the future, an anti-poverty bill to build more homes and a ban on fracking in our communities.

"Labour is the only party talking about Scotland's future, rather than the arguments of the past.

"If the centre piece of the SNP's programme today is another divisive referendum rather than a bold and radical plan to make Scotland fairer, stronger and more prosperous it will be a missed opportunity."