Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
MacGregor hails a hike in Highers of school leavers
Fulton MacGregor has welcomed new figures showing that the number of school leavers gaining at least one Higher or equivalent level-six Scottish qualification has risen from 43.5 per cent a decade ago to 60.2 per cent in 2015.
The MSP says the trend — revealed in response to a written question tabled by the Coatbridge & Chryston representative at Holyrood — is “a real success story”.
Mr MacGregor’s question sought details of the “percentage of pupils [who have] achieved at least one qualification at Higher level or equivalent in each year since 1999”, with deputy first minister John Swinney, the education secretary, responding with figures for the 17 academic years from then to 2014-2015.
They showed that, between 1998- 1999 and 2005- 2006, pass rates fluctuated between 42.8 per cent and 44.8 per cent, and reached a low for the period of 41.6 per cent in 2006-2007.
Since then, the proportion leaving school with at least one Higher or equivalent pass has increased consistently, by an overall total of 44.7 per cent to reach the 2015 outcome of three-fifths of pupils earning at least one of the awards.
Mr MacGregor said: “This is to the credit of everyone working in Scottish education. With more young people leaving school with at least one Higher-level qualification and the highest-ever level of school leavers going into work, training or further study, they increasingly have a strong foundation for success.
“But with too many young people’s success at school still dictated by their background, it’s right that we’re investing £750 million into driving up standards in Scottish schools over the course of this parliament — tackling the attainment gap is the SNP’s number one priority in government.”
The figures were also welcomed by Neil Gray, the Airdrie & Shotts MP, who also praised the recent announcement of the £3.1m to be distributed to schools across Monklands via the Scottish Government’s new pupil equity fund for individual initiatives including literacy, numeracy and projects concerning health and wellbeing.
Mr Gray said: “This fantastic rise is incredibly welcome news and shows that education in Scotland is going in the right direction.
“With the additional funding being made available to schools including £ 10m to North Lanarkshire, I’m confident we will be giving our children the best start in life.”