DEPUTY First Minister John Swinney is set to pledge to tear down barriers to learning as he unveils a package of practical measures designed to reduce the cost of the school day.
The Education Secretary will today confirm that an SNP government will end the practice of pupils being expected to pay fees for materials, or to provide their own. This is common in practical subjects such as art and design, music, home economics, hospitality and technology.
Swinney will also say that every pupil should be able to take part fully in school trips, including Primary 7 residential trips and at least one optional secondary school trip, highlighting that children should not miss out if their parents cannot afford the cost. In order to ensure this, he is expected to say that under an SNP government, less well off families will be exempt from the cost of trips and activities.
Swinney will also announce that grants towards the cost of school uniforms for poorer families will increase from the £100 minimum to £120 for primary school, and £150 for secondary school.
In future, this grant will be linked to inflation and will be reviewed to ensure it meets the real costs faced by families. In addition, the use of exclusive branded retailers – which often leads to higher costs – will be banned.
The announcements complete a manifesto package, to be unveiled later this week, aimed at reducing the cost of the school day. The package consists of:
- Free school breakfast and lunch for all primary school pupils
- Universal provision of an age-appropriate laptop, Chromebook or tablet for all school pupils
- Abolition of core curriculum charges such as material fees in practical subjects
- Increasing the school uniform grant
- Exempting poorer families from the cost of school trips
Swinney is expected to make the announcement on a visit to Perthshire. He will say: “Our goal is to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up for every child.
“That’s why the SNP has invested enormously in early years – from the Baby Box to the transformational increase in childcare provision seen in recent years. It’s why we’re extending free school meals to ensure that no child is forced to try and learn while hungry. And it’s why we are going to give every pupil the device they need – so they can learn in the modern world.
“But we know that somefamilies are sacrificing essentials like heating, food and rent payments so that their children can participate fully at school. This is simply unacceptable.
“If re-elected, charges forpractical subjects in school will be abolished, poorer families will be exempt from the cost of school trips and the value of uniform grants will be increased.”
He will add: “In a country as wealthy as Scotland, no pupil should struggle to learn because of poverty – and by giving both votes to the SNP on May 6, people can elect a government which is absolutely committed to tearing down the barriers to education that still exist, and ensuring all children can get the best start in life.”
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