Chamber and committees

Discussions are ongoing with local government about the establishment of an education assurance board to oversee Scottish education and help deliver the best educational outcomes for our children and young people. The board will form part of the wider assurance and accountability arrangements under the Verity House Agreement with local government.

During the 2024-25 Teaching Bursary scheme, 84 bursaries will be available. Modern Languages will also be included this year as additional subjects.

The Scottish Government recognises some duplication in how parents and carers are engaged by a range of parental focused organisations at local and national level, including the National Parent Forum of Scotland and Connect. However, we must ensure that, at this critical juncture for education reform, meaningful engagement draws on a wide range of perspectives and experiences from all parts of Scotland. As such, we have concluded that there is a need to establish a broader, more representative model to support engagement from parents and carers through the National Parent Panel.

The Chair of the National Parent Forum of Scotland was informed on 14 May 2024 that the Scottish Government would not be continuing to grant fund the organisation beyond 2023/24.

Under standard and ongoing grant management arrangements, the National Parent Forum Scotland (NPFS) has had many opportunities to provide advice and challenge to a range of Scottish Government policies since the organisation was established in 2009.

The Scottish Government will bring forward plans for the replacement for the National Parent Forum of Scotland and I am happy to ensure that the member is kept informed.

Under standard and ongoing grant management arrangements, Scottish Government officials met representatives from National Parent Forum of Scotland and their host organisation, Children in Scotland, on 21 May 2024. Issues relating to the decision to cease funding NPFS were discussed.

The Scottish Government is committed to strengthening our approach to parental engagement to ensure there are a range of opportunities for parents and carers to shape and influence policy development. There is a need to establish a broader, more representative model to support meaningful engagement from parents and carers and this is what the National Parent Panel will do. It will play a critical role in informing policy, and providing advice and challenge to Government as we drive improvement in our education system.

Detailed costings are still being discussed with Connect.

The findings of the report were taken into account in developing the new, strengthened approach to parental engagement which the Scottish Government is taking forward. Under standard and ongoing grant management arrangements, aspects of the findings of the report, which was commissioned by NPFS, were discussed at regular meetings between Scottish Government officials and NPFS.