Rennie: PISA survey shows worst ever results

Responding to the news that Scotland has recorded its worst ever results across all of reading, science and maths in the PISA international comparison of 81 countries’ education systems, with England performing better on every measure, Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP commented:

“Scotland used to have one of the best education systems in the world, but under the SNP it is now just average. We have tumbled down the international rankings and the poverty-related attainment gap is as wide as ever.

“The SNP have squandered the big global advantage Scotland held in education and are now left celebrating being average.

“A worldwide pandemic doesn’t explain why Scotland is falling down the worldwide education rankings and falling behind England on every measure. The pandemic was global too. Instead, these figures show the impact of their failure, over many years, to put in place a proper recovery plan for Scotland’s young people.

“Beyond the immediate impact on children and school staff, we could all pay a heavy price in the long-term because Scotland needs the best skills if we are to compete with the world for the best jobs and industries of the future.

“It’s time to stop asking our teachers and classroom support to perform miracles and finally give them the support and resources needed to deliver the very best for our children.

“To make Scottish education the best again, Scottish Liberal Democrats would deliver real reform of Scotland’s education agencies, reform of our qualifications, a plan to tackle poor behaviour in class, proper stable contracts for teachers, more pupil equity funding and extra in-class support. There is no time to lose.”