Pupils have say

Hamilton pupils had their say on how school funding should be spent.

At the Hamilton Area committee, the participatory budgeting programme was discussed and highlighted how children had a chance to put their views forward.

Participatory budgeting forms part of the Pupil Equity Fund which is allocated to schools and allows pupils, parents and staff to vote on how funding should be spent.

It allows pupils to have their say in the decisions that affect them.

Council Leader John Ross said:”thanks very much for that report. I think it’s been a hugely worthwhile exercise, I know that in my own patch the six primary schools have been working in really innovative ways to bring this to the attention of pupils and parents and staff. I’m just amazed at how quickly the kids, parents and teachers adapted to the idea of participatory budgeting when it took a lot of our councillors a lot longer to come to terms with it.”

Pupils from Woodside Primary decided to spend funding on curricular school trips and after school clubs. The reason behind this was due to the impact of Covid reducing the opportunities pupils had to take part in after school activities, and the school will now offer all pupils the chance to attend sports and expressive arts clubs.

The decision to use money for curricular school trips comes as some parents may financially struggle to send children on a school trip. These trips will now come at zero cost for children facing poverty through the use of the funding.

Children from Hamilton Grammar School put forward three ideas for funding. Firstly an outdoor shelter for the playground was suggested, a free grab and go breakfast was put forward and outdoor seating in the playground was also mentioned.

Ultimately, pupils voted for the outdoor shelter in the playground which will enhance outdoor learning and offer shelter during break and lunchtime for pupils.