Motion 23
Education Funding & Tackling Childhood Poverty
“That this Congress recognises that a well-funded education system is not only necessary for strong educational outcomes and to best prepare young people for life, but it is also central to mitigating the effects of childhood poverty and, over the long term, to reducing inequality in Scotland.
“Schools are often the most consistent public service in the lives of children living in poverty, yet prolonged under-investment has limited their ability to fully meet pupils’ educational, social, and wellbeing needs.
“Congress notes that Scottish teachers continue to face large class sizes, high levels of unmet additional support needs, and, in some places, sub-standard school infrastructure. These pressures disproportionately affect children from low-income households, who are more likely to experience barriers to learning, and the associated cognitive, social, and emotional disadvantage; food insecurity and hunger; and exclusion from enrichment activities outside school.
“Congress is concerned that rising direct and indirect costs of education—including school meals, uniforms, transport, and school trips—place additional financial strain on families and can result in stigma, reduced participation and poorer outcomes for children experiencing poverty. Furthermore, in some cases, schools and individual teachers are providing pupils’ stationery, clothes, and food, paid from their own pockets.
“Congress believes that tackling childhood poverty requires sustained, preventative investment in education that goes beyond short-term or narrowly targeted funding streams and instead embeds universal support as a foundation to the education system.
“Congress therefore calls on the Scottish Government to:
- use a significant proportion of additional Barnett consequential funding, alongside progressive taxation of wealth, to increase long-term investment in education;
- fund universal free school meals;
- invest in additional teachers, support staff, and resources to better meet pupil needs; and
- improve school buildings to ensure they are safe, accessible, and fit for purpose.”
Mover: Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS)
RSS