Nicola Sturgeon has accused critics of Scotland's education system of "talking ourselves down" despite the country slipping in international league tables during her time in charge. The former first minister, who once declared she wanted her legacy to be judged on education, insisted the "system is not failing" and claimed she had done "a lot" to overcome the challenges facing pupils.
Fringe Appearance
Appearing at an Edinburgh Fringe show hosted by broadcaster Iain Dale, the ex-MSP was read out a question written by an anonymous teacher from Moray who called on her to "atone" for her party's record in government. Sturgeon used a speech in 2015 during her time as first minister to insist: “Let me be clear – I want to be judged on this" before setting out a plan to close the poverty-related attainment gap completely.
But the most recent PISA report found average attainment among Scots pupils in mathematics, science and reading were all down in 2022 compared with 2018. Figures published in February found the attainment gap between Scotland's richest and poorest school pupils remains wider than before the 2020 covid pandemic.
Sturgeon's Defence
Sturgeon told the Fringe audience last week: "The Scottish education system is not failing. It never has been and it isn't right now. It has its challenges, and I did a lot to overcome those challenges." She added: "Among the things I am proudest of are the actions we took to tackle the biggest thing that holds back the attainment of pupils in schools, which is child poverty. Doubling early years child care, I'm proud of that. The Scottish Child Payment means Scotland is the only one of the four UK countries where child poverty is falling, not rising."
She continued: "The Scottish education system is not failing and the exam results last week are evidence of that." Challenged by Dale on Scotland dropping below England in international league tables, she added: "The education systems are different and measured differently. Like many countries, we have a poverty-related attainment gap. So yes, the education system has challenges, but this narrative that the system is failing is just nonsense. Let's not talk ourselves down. Let's tackle the problems where they are, but let's not allow ourselves to be talked into this media narrative about everything in this country being s***, because it really isn't".
Political Reactions
Writing in his regular column for the Record this week, Sturgeon's position was backed by her former education secretary, John Swinney. The First Minister wrote: "Last week’s exam results were a really proud day for Scotland. Exam passes were up at all levels – National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher, including a record number of passes at National 5." He added: "We hear a lot of talking Scotland’s schools and our young people down, so I hope last week’s results will see an end to that."
Katherine Sangster, Scottish Labour education spokeswoman, said "A decade ago John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon promised to close the shameful poverty-related attainment gap and instead it’s widened. It is insulting for John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon to claim this is a record of success. Scotland’s talented young people and dedicated teachers deserve credit for their hard work and the results it delivered, but they are still being held back by the SNP’s failures. John Swinney should drop this complacent attitude and focus on improving our education system and giving every child the opportunities they deserve."
