What will the SNP do to remove barriers to education?

No pupil should struggle to learn because of poverty. We will build a system to ensure equal access to the full package of education, breaking down financial barriers to make a real difference in the lives of children from low income families.

Covid-19 changed the way education is delivered. With the increased reliance on digital connectivity, the pandemic shone a light on the barriers of digital exclusion. We will provide every child in Scotland with a device to get online, including a free internet connection and the support to use it.

We will establish a National Digital Academy which will allow learners to access the full higher curriculum, regardless of age, school or location. This new approach would end the postcode lottery of subject choice, and enable people to study for their Highers whilst also being in work, or fulfilling caring commitments.

We will end the exclusion of poorer pupils from trips and practical activities by removing charges for less well off families.

We will increase the school uniform grant to at least £120 in primary school and £150 in secondary school.

To make sure no child is hungry in the classroom, we will provide free school breakfasts and lunches to every primary school pupil, all year round and for all children in state-funded special schools in Scotland. Looking longer term, we will pilot the provision of free nutritious school breakfasts in secondary schools, and, based on the findings of the pilot project, explore the feasibility of universal breakfast provision in secondary schools.