Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has launched a blistering attack on the Scottish Government's education record, demanding the immediate resignation of Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth over what he describes as "catastrophic failures" in Scotland's schools.
The Moray MP accused the SNP-led administration of presiding over declining educational standards while breaking key promises to students, teachers, and parents across Scotland.
Mounting Pressure on Education Chief
In a dramatic intervention, Ross declared that Gilruth's position had become "completely untenable" following a series of damaging revelations about Scotland's education system. The Scottish Conservative leader pointed to falling literacy rates, growing attainment gaps, and chronic teacher shortages as evidence of systemic failure.
"The Education Secretary has lost the confidence of parents, teachers, and opposition parties," Ross stated. "Her continued presence in this vital role is damaging to our children's future and Scotland's long-term prosperity."
Broken Promises and Failing Standards
The condemnation comes amid growing concern about the Scottish Government's ability to deliver on its education commitments. Critics point to:
- Consistently declining performance in international literacy and numeracy rankings
- Failure to address the growing attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their peers
- Chronic shortages of teaching staff across multiple regions
- Broken promises on classroom resources and support funding
Ross emphasised that the education crisis represents a fundamental betrayal of Scottish families who were promised educational excellence as a cornerstone of devolved government.
Political Fallout Intensifies
The demand for Gilruth's resignation marks a significant escalation in political tensions over education policy. The Scottish Conservatives have positioned themselves as the champions of educational reform, seeking to capitalise on public dissatisfaction with the SNP's handling of the portfolio.
With education traditionally being a devolved matter where the Scottish Government has promised to excel, the ongoing crisis represents a significant political vulnerability for the ruling administration.
As pressure mounts, all eyes turn to First Minister Humza Yousaf to see whether he will stand by his education secretary or seek to reshuffle his team in response to the growing criticism.
