Scotland can guarantee a future for our young people:
We believe that disability should not be a barrier to education or work and that every individual deserves to live free from bullying and discrimination. As such, Green MSPs will promote inclusive education policies, strengthen links between education and children’s services, guarantee a job or further education place for every school leaver and widen access to further and higher education.
- Equality and diversity. Scottish Greens will show leadership on inclusive education policies for all pupils and families from primary age regardless of race, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, including a strong stance on bullying. We want to see all schools become UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools, where children’s human rights are embedded in a school’s ethos and culture to help all pupils realise their potential. Scottish Greens also support the Time for Inclusive Education campaign, which promotes inclusive LGBTI+ school environments. We will also push to strengthen links between education and other children’s services with child poverty strategies. We believe in funding training for teachers so that they are able to tackle diversity issues in the classroom.
- Widening access. Green MSPs will support action to break down the barriers to further and higher education. Scottish Greens’ student support proposals are designed remove financial barriers to education and we agree with the Commission on Widening Access that “inequality in higher education is unfair, damaging and unsustainable”. We will use its findings and recommendations published in March to ensure action on access to education is as bold as it can be.
- Scotland Guarantee. Green MSPs will campaign for a Scotland Guarantee of a job, training or education for every school-leaver. Latest figures show 8% of school leavers left school without a job or more education, but this rises to 15% for pupils from the poorest areas. Local authority and Scottish Government action, such as the Edinburgh Guarantee and Opportunities for All, has helped reduce that number but too many young people are still left without the opportunity to work or study. Green MSPs will campaign for better opportunities for all young people leaving school.