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Funding secured for outdoor learning law for all Scottish children Outdoor learning law for Scottish children to reach next stage
(about 7 hours later)
The law would guarantee every school pupil a week of residential outdoor learningThe 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 is expected to take a step forward by securing funding. Scottish ministers have acted to ensure a proposed new law promising every school pupil in Scotland a week of outdoor learning can proceed at Holyrood.
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 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 before reaching stage two unless the government tabled a financial resolution by the end of this week - which it has now done.
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. Children's minister Natalie Don-Innes, who originally said the proposals were unaffordable, said she accepted the will of parliament and would work to ensure the bill was deliverable.
The bill won majority support when it was first put forward by Conservative MSP Liz Smith. She said amendments would be required to target the children who would benefit the most and to provide time for the outdoor education sector to prepare.
The education committee previously estimated that the bill could cost up to £40m to implement and Don-Innes said concerns around affordability still needed to be addressed.
The bill won majority support when it was first put forward by Conservative MSP Liz Smith six months ago.
But there had been concerns that the Scottish 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 later where she is expected to confirm her willingness to allow the bill to progress to stage two.
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
Don-Innes said the Scottish government "absolutely recognises the important role that outdoor learning in all its forms, including residential outdoor education, can play in supporting the development of our children and young people".
She added: "I am very aware there is still an awful lot of work to be done with the bill, but I think today is a very good news story for young people right across Scotland."
At stage two, any MSP can propose changes to a bill. These amendments are debated and later decided on by a committee.At stage two, any MSP can propose changes to a bill. These amendments are debated and later decided on by a committee.
It is expected that compromises will need to be made to the scope of the bill for it to become law.It is expected that compromises will need to be made to the scope of the bill for it to become law.
Liz Smith said she believed the experience of outdoor education could be "life-changing" for children.Liz Smith said she believed the experience of outdoor education could be "life-changing" for children.
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. 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."
"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."
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.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.
Cuts in other activitiesCuts in other activities
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 Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS) has concerns about the workability.The Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS) has concerns about the workability.
Greg Dempster, AHDS General Secretary, warned: "The bill appears to be founded on this statutory entitlement for pupils being delivered without change to terms and conditions for staff – this seems fanciful at best.Greg Dempster, AHDS General Secretary, warned: "The bill appears to be founded on this statutory entitlement for pupils being delivered without change to terms and conditions for staff – this seems fanciful at best.
"Surveys from all teaching unions point towards excessive workloads and chronic underfunding for inclusion and ASN. ""Surveys from all teaching unions point towards excessive workloads and chronic underfunding for inclusion and ASN. "
He added that spending this much money on outdoor education would be "akin to suggesting buying new carpets while the roof is falling in."He added that spending this much money on outdoor education would be "akin to suggesting buying new carpets while the roof is falling in."
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.