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Funding secured for outdoor learning law for all Scottish children Funding secured for outdoor learning law for all Scottish children
(about 1 hour later)
The bill would guarantee every school pupil five days and four nights of residential outdoor learning The law would guarantee every school pupil a week of residential outdoor learning
A proposed new law to give every school pupil in Scotland a week of outdoor learning has taken a step forward after securing more funding. A proposed new law to give every school pupil in Scotland a week of outdoor learning is expected to take a step forward by securing funding.
The plans, which could cost up to £40m a year, would entitle every pupil to four nights and five days of residential outdoor education.The plans, which could cost up to £40m a year, would entitle every pupil to four nights and five days of residential outdoor education.
The Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) bill was at risk of falling unless the government tabled a financial resolution by the end of this week.The Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) bill was at risk of falling unless the government tabled a financial resolution by the end of this week.
Children's minister Natalie Don-Innes originally said the proposals were unaffordable, however ministers are now expected to announce more funding which would allow the legislation to proceed to stage two. Children's minister Natalie Don-Innes originally said the proposals were unaffordable, but ministers are expected to announce funding later which would allow the legislation to proceed to stage two.
The bill won majority support when it was first put forward by Conservative MSP Liz Smith.The bill won majority support when it was first put forward by Conservative MSP Liz Smith.
But there had been concerns that the government was going to thwart the will of parliament. But there had been concerns that the Scottish government was going to thwart the will of parliament.
Opposition politicians had warned that would be a democratic outrage.Opposition politicians had warned that would be a democratic outrage.
Don-Innes will make a statement to parliament on Wednesday afternoon where she is expected to confirm her willingness to allow the bill to progress to stage two. Don-Innes will make a statement to parliament later where she is expected to confirm her willingness to allow the bill to progress to stage two.
At stage two, any MSP can propose changes to a bill. These amendments are debated and later decided on by a committee.
Liz Smith tabled the bill which could cost between £25m and £40m a yearLiz Smith tabled the bill which could cost between £25m and £40m a year
Liz Smith previously told BBC Scotland how she believed the experience of outdoor education could be transformative for children. At stage two, any MSP can propose changes to a bill. These amendments are debated and later decided on by a committee.
At the time, she said: "I think we should be trying to level up, to ensure that young people, whoever they are, whatever their background, whatever their family circumstances, they should have that opportunity. It is expected that compromises will need to be made to the scope of the bill for it to become law.
"The statistics we have show that if they have participated in residential outdoor education, their attendance is better, their behaviour is better, their self-discipline is better." Liz Smith said she believed the experience of outdoor education could be "life-changing" for children.
But there is a postcode lottery in provision of residential outdoor education, with research for the University of Edinburgh stating that just a third of secondary schools and only a quarter of primary schools offer this type of experience. She added: "This is a very important day for young people across Scotland, for the outdoor education sector and for MSPs across the political spectrum who believe this bill is essential in building resilience in our young people, broadening their educational experiences and allowing them to develop their full potential.
Cuts in other school activities "I am delighted that Scottish Government Ministers have had a significant change of heart and that they will now respect the will of Parliament by lodging the financial resolution required to allow my bill to progress."
One of the biggest problems facing the bill is that the experience does not come cheap. Cuts in other activities
Smith estimates the policy would cost between £25m and £40m a year. There is currently a postcode lottery in provision of residential outdoor education, with research for the University of Edinburgh stating that just a third of secondary schools and only a quarter of primary schools offer this type of experience.
One of the biggest problems facing the bill is that the experience does not come cheap. Smith estimates the policy would cost between £25m and £40m a year.
The minister for children previously told MSPs that ringfencing cash for outdoor education could be to the detriment of other activities.The minister for children previously told MSPs that ringfencing cash for outdoor education could be to the detriment of other activities.
Don-Innes added: "Where would you seek to cut funding from in education? Would it be our teachers, our schools, would it be nurseries or our colleges?"Don-Innes added: "Where would you seek to cut funding from in education? Would it be our teachers, our schools, would it be nurseries or our colleges?"
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) also raised concerns over the practicalities of the policy.The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) also raised concerns over the practicalities of the policy.
It questioned the impact on staffing, the costs of transport and what it would mean for schools' ability to take part in other trips relating to geography, history or the arts.It questioned the impact on staffing, the costs of transport and what it would mean for schools' ability to take part in other trips relating to geography, history or the arts.
It is expected that compromises will need to be made to the scope of the bill for it to become law.