Pandemic ‘hinders efforts to close gap’

City education bosses admitted coronavirus has hindered efforts to curb the attainment gap between the poorest and wealthiest children in Dundee.

School children from deprived backgrounds may need additional support to overcome the challenges of home-based learning, Dundee City Council’s scrutiny committee heard.

Paul Clancy, executive director of children and families services, said the council would support pupils to catch up on the three months of schooling missed due to the pandemic.

However, he pointed out the city council’s positive steps to tackle education inequalities as attainment levels had shown signs of improvement in 2018/19.

The number of pupils meeting the expected Curriculum for Excellence attainment levels increased for almost all ages and subjects in 2018/19, compared to the previous year.

A record number of school leavers (94.3%) were entering positive destinations such as college, university, apprenticeships or employment, within a year.

But at the meeting on Wednesday, West End councillor Richard McCready asked education chiefs how children from deprived backgrounds would be supported when schools reopen in August.

Mr Clancy acknowledged the adverse effects caused by coronavirus and said the council would seek to accelerate measures to help children overcome challenges.

He said: “I don’t think that there’s any question that what’s happened since lockdown will have had an impact and that impact would be disproportionate.

“I’m pleased to say some of the statistics coming through point to the fact there’s been success in literacy and numeracy.”

Paul Clancy has pledged support for pupils.