Tag: national discussion

A National Discussion: Let’s Talk Scottish Education

Young people invited to take part in National Discussion

Every child and young person in Scotland is being encouraged to get involved in a National Discussion on education.

Let’s Talk Scottish Education invites those aged three to 18 to share their ideas, views and experiences.

Feedback from young people, as well as from parents, carers, teachers and others working in education and beyond, will play a vital part in shaping the future of education. This will include the reform programme that will see the creation of three new education bodies and a review of qualifications and assessment.

The National Discussion, which is being co-convened by COSLA, will run until 5 December. It is being independently facilitated by Professor Carol Campbell and Professor Alma Harris, who will report their findings to Ministers and COSLA in spring 2023.

Schools are being invited to take part in the Discussion in ways that best suit them and their learners. This may be through classroom discussions, homework tasks or by encouraging children and young people to have discussions at home or with friends. Discussion guides have been issued to schools to help encourage involvement.

Children and young people can also contribute by emailing the Scottish Government or through social media, using the hashtag #TalkScottishEducation.

More information will be available over the coming weeks on other ways that young people can get involved in online and regional events.

Ahead of launching the Discussion during a visit to Carnegie Primary School in Dunfermline, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “It has been 20 years since Scotland last held a national debate on the future of education. Since then, the education landscape has changed beyond recognition, as has the world around us. It’s time for a new National Discussion.

“Our reform programme will build on all that is good in Scottish education and deliver real change and improvement. Our children and young people hold the biggest stake in the education system so it is right that their views should be at the centre of those plans.

“We are inviting every child and young person to get involved. We want to hear all voices, particularly those who feel they haven’t been heard in the past.

“Resources have been developed to help prompt discussions around the country; within organisations, around kitchen tables and in our schools and youth settings.

“The vision which is created following the National Discussion will set out what education in Scotland needs to look like not only in the near future but 20 years from now – so Let’s Talk Education.”

COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson Councillor Tony Buchanan said: “I’m delighted that we are launching the National Discussion and pleased that COSLA will co-convene the discussion with the Scottish Government, reflecting the importance we place on learning in Scotland, and the joint responsibility we have when it comes to education.

“This is an exciting opportunity for children and young people, staff in our schools, families and wider communities to get involved and make their voices heard.  I hope that everyone who has something to say on how we deliver education in Scotland takes the time to get involved in the months ahead.”

Patrick McGlinchey, Executive Director of national parents group Connect, said: “We welcome the launch of the National Discussion and look forward to supporting learners and their families to participate fully.

“Connect will work hard to ensure children, young people, and their families are heard loud and clear during the national discussion, and that the future of Scottish education is child-centred, with parents by their side.”       

Education: join a National Discussion

Invitation to ‘work together to drive change’

Children, young people, families and teachers are being invited to join a National Discussion on education.

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville appealed for fresh, innovative ideas to help to deliver change and drive improvement.

In an update to Parliament on reform plans, Ms Somerville said she wants to encourage the most inclusive ever discussion on education in Scotland, with learners playing a key part in decision-making.

The National Discussion will inform wide-ranging plans, including the creation of three new education bodies and a review of qualifications and assessment.

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We want to bring the widest possible range of voices and views into the room. It is our children and young people who hold the biggest stake in our education system. I am determined they will be heard just as strongly across our reform programme. 

“Two decades on from the last national debate on Scottish Education, the time is right to discuss our vision for the education system.

“This is a discussion for everyone, and I have written today to education spokespeople from all parties in this Chamber inviting them to take part. We may not agree on everything but that should never stop us from finding common ground.”

COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson Councillor Stephen McCabe said: “We are pleased that COSLA will co-convene this discussion with the Scottish Government and look forward to ensuring that children and young people, their families, school staff and wider stakeholders are able to input into this important conversation.”

Deprivation gap at a record low

A record proportion of young people from the most deprived communities are going on to ‘positive destinations’ after leaving school.

Statistics show that 93.2% of pupils overall who left school last year were in a positive destination, including work, training or further study, nine months later. This is up from 92.2% in the previous year and just below the record of 93.3% set in 2017-18.

The gap between school leavers from the most and least deprived areas achieving positive destinations narrowed to a record low of 7.5 percentage points. This gap has now more than halved since 2009-2010.

The statistics also show that a record 31.5% of young people who left school in 2021 were in employment in April 2022, with 40.3% in higher education and 18.3% in further education.

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “All children and young people, regardless of their background, should have the opportunities they need to fulfil their potential, so I’m pleased to see a record proportion of school leavers from the most deprived communities going on to positive destinations.

“The statistics show that overall, the percentage of young people in positive destinations nine months after leaving school is also near a record high. Given the very significant challenges posed by the pandemic, this is particularly impressive.

“There is no doubt that the COVID crisis will have changed the choices made by some young people and the opportunities available to them. Whatever the pathways, seeing so many school leavers achieving positive destinations is a reflection of their resilience and of the hard work of all those who supported them.”

School leaver follow-up destinations.