Plans to help Scotland’s education system continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic have been published by the SNP Government.
Created with input from across the sector, including young people, the Education Recovery strategy outlines how almost £500 million has been used to support learners and staff across North Ayrshire and Scotland.
The publication also sets out how the SNP Government will continue to provide ongoing support to the sector, including:
Further support for learners who are sitting exams in 2022
Recruiting 3,500 additional teachers and 500 support staff over this parliamentary term
Committing £1 billion to tackle the poverty related attainment gap and support education recovery
Access to in-school mental health and wellbeing support that young people need, including counselling services
Expanding funded early learning and childcare for children aged 1 and 2, starting with low-income households
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP said:
“Supporting children and young people remains our top priority, and almost £500 million of additional funding has already been committed during 2020/21 and 2021/22 as part of education recovery. Of this, £240m is to recruit extra staff to ensure resilience and to provide additional support for learners and teachers.
“Pupils sitting exams in spring 2022 will be offered a package of support, which will include online revision classes and targeted help for those who need it most. At the heart of all of this is our children and young people, who we will ensure have the opportunities they need to fulfil their potential in school and beyond.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP added:
“Throughout the pandemic, education staff have made a huge effort to keep our pupils learning.
“In addition, the SNP Government invested £80 million which helped to recruit 1,400 teachers and 250 support staff – a huge sum which it has now made an annual allocation so that success can be repeated.
“This investment in pupils also comes in the form of free school breakfasts and lunches all year round for all children in P1-7, the abolition of fees for instrumental music tuition, removal of core curriculum charges, digital devices, and extended free early learning and childcare.
"All these things add up to help give our children a great education, and the confidence that they can do anything they want when they grow up.”
Information about the Learning Estate Investment Programme.
The young people involved were part of the Education Recovery Youth Panel.
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