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Reforms To Child Education

Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, has set out his vision of empowerment and devolution for Scottish education, putting children at the heart of the system.



At the School Leaders Scotland summer conference, the deputy First Minister reiterated his pledge to make teachers and parents the key decision makers in schools.

It comes ahead of a statement of Parliament by Mr Swinney next week, subject to Parliamentary approval, when he will set out the next steps for education reform.

Mr Swinney, said; "As part of the relentless drive to improve Scottish education, we must embrace the need to reform and reshape our education system. To close the attainment gap and raise the bar for all, decisions about a child's learning should be made as close to that child as possible.

"That is why I have pledged to make teachers and parents the key decision makers in the life of a school. Reforms already introduced, such as Pupil Equity Funding, put the power to change lives directly in the hands of those with the expertise and insight to target resources at the greatest need.

"We must go further to drive improvements, putting young people at the heart of Scottish education and supporting and empowering headteachers, teachers and parents. Later this month, I will set out the actions which will achieve this.

"This is a vision of empowerment and devolution, devolution from local authorities to school, including teachers, headteachers, parents and communities, and devolution from a national to a local or a regional level to drive improvement in Scottish education."

Although the Scottish government speaks highly of the improvements they plan to put in place for primary to high school teachers, and pupils there is little talk about nursery care.

With the current SNP government promising free, all day, nursery care for all children it comes as a surprise to many to find out that many Scottish nursery schools are having their overall budgets cut, while the hours are increased. What has also come as a surprise is the drastic pa difference between regions for nursery employees, and the extreme pay drop when compared to teachers dealing with smaller classes and shorter days.

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