WESTMINSTER should give Scotland an additional £1.5 billion to help pupils catch up on lost learning, a think tank suggests.
Youngsters at both primary and secondary level switched to remote lessons after authorities determined classroom sessions were too much of a health risk for most children, with only those with key worker parents or classed as particularly vulnerable continuing to attend regional hubs.
Scotland’s main parties have made commitments on learning in their Scottish Parliament election manifestos as families seek to mitigate attainment issues caused by almost a year of remote learning.
Now the independent Education Policy Institute (EPI) – which is politically impartial – is calling for a £15bn boost to stop English youngsters falling behind due to the impact of Covid on schooling.
In a report released today, it says the cash is needed to “reverse the learning loss caused by the pandemic and also address the deep-rooted inequalities that left many young people acutely vulnerable when schools were required to close to most pupils”.
And, based on the Barnett formula, it says the UK Government should also hand over £1.5bn for Scottish schools, plus £900 million for Wales and £500m for Northern Ireland.
READ MORE: FACT CHECK: Jackie Baillie's claim that money meant for the NHS was used elsewhere
According to the funding formula, monies allocated to devolved nations change according to the sum spent on public services in England and relative population.
With Scotland’s headcount just under 10% of England’s, the think tank – formed in a reorganisation of LibDem think tank CentreForum and run by LibDem former schools minister David Laws – argues that the Scottish Government budget should increase as English authorities embark on a multi-year education recovery package.
It says that cash could be used to “respond to a major report” due for publication by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development this summer.
For England, the London-based think tank is calling on “bold investment” in professional development for teachers and the expansion of one-to-one tuition, as well as cash for before and after school clubs and summer activities.
It also seeks targeted support for vulnerable pupils, better early years provision and an “urgent and serious cross-government child poverty strategy that reverses the current upward trend of child poverty and ensures that no child ever goes without food, safe housing or education again”.
READ MORE: Expert raises fairness concerns over 'pseudo exams' in Scottish schools
It states: “Many of our recommendations are relevant to all countries, such as a need for a focus on the quality of provision, continuous professional development, disadvantaged learners and well-being. The precise plans will, however, need to be suited to the specific challenges and context in each country.”
The SNP have pledged to distribute free laptops and internet connections, while the Greens want to end primary school homework and reduce exams for teenagers.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here