A further £43 million is being invested this year to support pupils affected by poverty and help close the attainment gap across Scotland’s schools.
The funding, announced by Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, will be distributed to local councils to deliver targeted support for children and families most in need.
It forms part of the Scottish Government’s ongoing £1.75 billion Scottish Attainment Challenge, which has been running for the past decade to ensure every child has the chance to reach their full potential, regardless of background.
Local authorities will use the funding to strengthen strategic approaches to tackling the poverty-related attainment gap.
This will include recruiting additional teachers, classroom assistants and family link workers, and investing in professional learning and leadership development for educators.
The announcement coincides with the publication of a new report showing how continued investment is improving both educational outcomes and the wellbeing of children and young people.
Speaking at the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) conference, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said:
“Closing the poverty-related attainment gap is a vital part of our commitment to eradicate child poverty in Scotland.
“When more children are given a chance to succeed through education, the more we accelerate our progress in reaching this goal.
“The published report demonstrates how our ongoing investment continues to deliver for Scotland’s schools, it shows that pupils are going to school feeling confident and enjoying their studies.
“That has been achieved by empowering headteachers to deliver bespoke solutions that meet children and young people’s needs.
“The latest exam data also shows us that this is translating into results, with the deprivation gap narrowing at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level over the past year.
“It is important that we continue to build on this progress, and the funding announced today will do exactly that.”
The Scottish Attainment Challenge has delivered a wide range of initiatives over the past ten years, from targeted literacy and numeracy support to community outreach programmes linking schools more closely with families.
Councils have also introduced mentoring schemes, homework clubs, and mental health and wellbeing projects to support pupils outside of the classroom.
Officials say this latest investment will build on that success and further embed a collaborative, local approach ensuring that resources reach those who need them most.
The Scottish Government maintains that improving educational equity remains central to its broader mission to tackle poverty, strengthen communities and create opportunities for every young person in Scotland to thrive.
