SNP - FIONA HYSLOP

Our children, young people, teachers and lecturers have had to face huge personal and professional challenges and I want to thank them for all their efforts in trying circumstances. It’s been tough for all.

I have seen this at first hand as I am a mum of a teacher, a son studying for Highers and a son who secured a degree remotely during covid and my husband works in wider access provision.

As we build education recovery we need to recognise that the biggest barrier to equity in learning is inequality in life, so starkly presented with covid. These inequalities are deep-rooted and we need Independence to fundamentally alter this but we can act under devolution. We need to build in more equality into our school life with a free electronic device for all children, free school meals and breakfasts expanded to all P1-P7s and piloting breakfast at secondary schools. This will also include lunch support in holidays.

The expansion of free early learning and child care by the SNP Government to 1,140 hours a year is saving parents £4,500. This builds on the free university tuition fees I introduced as a Government Minister.

More young people than ever before and more young people from financially poorer backgrounds are accessing university.

Our colleges will be key as part of the Young Persons Guarantee of a job, education and training I started as part of covid Recovery as Economy Secretary, as we prepare more young people for jobs for the future.