Rennie files parliamentary motion on schools' access to Microsoft programs

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie has today filed a parliamentary motion expressing concern about reports that teachers and pupils across Scotland may lose offline access to Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint from 1 August 2024, just days before the beginning of the new school year.

Commenting on the motion, Mr Rennie said:

"The last thing schools need as they head back for the new year is to lose access to crucial tools for learning.

"There seems to be a real void in the Scottish Government's response. They had ample warning but seem to have sat on their hands. Meanwhile school staff, pupils and parents have been left in the dark.

"Schools have faced unprecedented disruption in recent years, from Covid and the exam marking scandal to industrial disputes and classroom violence. They could do without another expense and another upheaval.

"The Scottish Government must work in conjunction with local authorities and education authorities, to urgently take the necessary steps to rectify this nationwide, before the new school year commences so that school staff and pupils can always access the digital tools that they need without any disruption or obstacles to teaching and learning. I hope MSPs from across the parliament can get behind my motion."