Scottish Labour’s new leader has today revealed details of his party’s “education comeback” plan for pupils.
In his first major speech in the role, Anas Sarwar set out proposals for a needs-based appraisal involving a personal plan for every pupil, which would be combined with a mental health assessment.
He also called for tutoring to be offered to all pupils and a “resit guarantee” of a fully-funded college place to retake national qualifications, if wanted, for those negatively affected by the cancellation of exams.
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Other priorities for education include improved digital training for staff and ensuring that probationary teachers whose experience was disrupted by lockdown get the opportunity to properly complete their induction period.
Covid: Labour’s education ‘comeback programme’
Speaking at the beginning of the week when all pupils are due return to school buildings for at least a small amount of time, Mr Sarwar (pictured above in the Scottish Parliament last week) outlined a summer “comeback programme”, including a pass to provide young people with free access to sport, transport, outdoor activities and culture.
Speaking ahead of his address, Mr Sarwar said: “As tens of thousands of children finally return to school, I pay tribute to everyone who has been homeschooling these past few months and the teachers who have continued to support their pupils.”
He added: “A generation of young people have had their learning disrupted by Covid, which is why we are publishing an education comeback plan for Scotland’s children.
“At the heart of the plan is the recognition that we have a moral imperative to ensure that our next generation do not carry the weight of the pandemic.
“It is a plan that delivers hope for our young people, restores Scottish education, supports teachers and makes sure that every child has the right to a decent start in life.”
