Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens
Why is this National Outcome important?
We can be proud of much of the Scottish education system. The recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report on the quality and equity of schooling in Scotland considered Scottish education to be high performing. However it also said, 'Who you are in Scotland is far more important than what school you attend, and at present Scottish schools are not strong enough to ensure who you are does not count.'
We must ensure that our well resourced and well regarded education system makes the difference for all our children, particularly those from low socio-economic backgrounds and that we create the right conditions for young people to benefit from learning. To achieve sustainable economic growth as a country, we must maximise the economic potential of all our citizens. As a caring society, we must make sure that we are getting it right for every child.
What will influence this National Outcome?
Exciting, relevant education which develops skills for learning, for work and for life has the power to transform life chances. A Curriculum for Excellence is delivering this reform in our schools. It will equip pupils for their futures in a globalised society by a focus on literacy and numeracy at every stage, emphasising modern languages and encouraging young people to develop an understanding of and passion for science, the environment and Scotland's culture, history and heritage.
Both a child's needs and the needs of all children must be taken into account. This Government is taking a broad approach, with excellent universal provision and tailored support (where required) to raise the achievements of the lowest-performing pupils, those disengaging from learning and those who require additional support to get the most from their learning. The responsibility for creating the conditions in which young people can fully benefit from learning is spread widely and begins in children's earliest years. Improving health and wellbeing and strengthening family and community networks, as well as engaging young people in decision making, volunteering and providing high quality sport and cultural opportunities will all play an important part in achieving this outcome,
We need to create a learning experience which encourages young people to think about their impact on the environment, to care about being healthy, to fulfil their potential and to contribute to society and the economy. We are working with our delivery partners to achieve this.
What is the Government's role?
Government provides the leadership and investment required to ensure that Scotland's curriculum supports young people to be ambitious and able to contribute to Scotland's future prosperity as members of a creative workforce. We are building the right foundations, providing more free, nutritious school meals and protecting equal access to education, consulting on proposals to introduce a legislative presumption against the closure of rural schools.
Cutting class sizes, delivering curriculum reform and enhancing quality in teaching will give children the individual attention they need to succeed. We will work with local government and the profession to reduce class sizes in primary 1 to primary 3 as quickly as possible to 18 and to develop leadership and continuous professional development for teachers. We will consult on the next generation of our National Qualifications, and will promote a fuller recognition of each young person's achievements including those beyond qualifications taking full account of the needs of employers. The Curriculum for Excellence, as a key component of our overall skills strategy, will give our young people skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work at every stage of their educational experience.
Working with local government and other partners, we are building on the foundations laid by Determined to Succeed to help young people to collaborate, innovate and create ideas - and to then have the confidence, determination and persistence to turn those ideas into action for personal, economic and social benefit. We continue to work closely with Scotland's employers, who play a crucial part in this effort.
Related Strategic Objectives
Smarter
Healthier
Wealthier and Fairer