Evening Telegraph (First Edition)

EIS boss calls for a boost to funding in education

THE head of Scotland’s largest teaching union has urged the Scottish Government and councils to increase spending on education, saying postcovid support for schools is “wholly insufficie­nt”.

EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said the sector has been subject to “inadequate funding and staff reductions” for far too long despite being promised funds in the wake of the pandemic.

She said the impact of Covid on young people’s learning experience had been “profound” and the consequenc­es “continue to impact on them today”.

Her comments come against the backdrop of falling pass rates in this year’s exam results and the impact of the pandemic being partially blamed for the decline.

Ms Bradley said: “Schools were promised additional funding, more staffing and resources to aid educationa­l recovery in the wake of Covid.

“Sadly, this has proven to be both too short-term and wholly insufficie­nt to allow schools to provide the additional support that young people need to overcome the complex challenges they continue to face.”

A Scottish Government spokespers­on said: “The government is already investing record levels in the education system, with the education and skills budget growing to over £4.8 billion for 2024-25, despite facing some of the most difficult financial circumstan­ces since devolution.

“Any calls for additional investment must be seen in the context of the wider constraint­s on finances.

“However, if an increase in consequent­ials is forthcomin­g as a result of changes in schools spending by the UK Government, we would certainly seek to make that available to improve education outcomes in Scotland.

Scottish Government officials are liaising with UK counterpar­ts to seek clarity on funding.

“We also offering local authoritie­s £145.5 million this year to protect teacher numbers, supporting children and young people’s education.”