Acting Scottish Labour leader Jackie Baillie has accused the SNP and First Minister John Swinney of allowing a steep decline in Scotland's education system. Writing for the Record, she called for a relentless focus on driving up standards in schools.
PISA scores show decline
New international PISA scores revealed that Scotland's education system is declining on several key measures and remains significantly behind England's education system. On key metrics like maths, reading and science, Scottish pupils are lagging behind their counterparts in England.
The attainment gap between pupils from the most well-off areas and those from the poorest areas remains stubbornly wide. The only difference is that children from well-off backgrounds are now also declining in terms of academic performance.
Criticism of SNP record
Baillie said that for years the trend has not been good, and that the evidence was clear that the SNP was failing. She noted that former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, now a London-based reality TV star, made improving education the 'defining mission' of her government, with particular emphasis on closing the poverty-related attainment gap.
In response to the findings, Education Secretary Mairi McAllan said the results show “real strengths in Scottish education”. Baillie dismissed this as spin, saying the difference between reality and the SNP's spin is huge.
Call for change
Baillie said the truth is that a renewed focus is needed on relentlessly driving up standards in schools, making schools safe for pupils, and giving teachers what they need to help children thrive. She concluded that Scotland's future relies on getting this right, and that it is time for a change of focus and hard lines for John Swinney.
