How does the education reform agenda align with Scotland’s biggest priorities?

The RSE calls for closer alignment of Scotland’s education and skills policy with the nation’s strategic objectives.

The call comes as the RSE, Scotland’s National Academy, has released a report which has highlighted where the current education reform agenda supports Scotland’s strategic goals in the current Programme for Government, and where it falls short.

The report – the first analysis of its kind – is entitled ‘Gaps, overlaps, and challenges’ and calls for the realignment of education skills policy in Scotland if the country is to maximise the progress it can make. The results reveal how education and skills policy can be better integrated across national priorities to tackle longstanding societal challenges and secure a strong future.

Among many recommendations, the report states that a key issue with the education system in Scotland is that a variety of educational paths should be looked upon with the same level of esteem – whether it be vocational learning, on-the-job training or more traditional academic work. The report argues that this would make lifelong learning a much more attainable goal.

The report also argues that much of the rationalisation and alignment work needed to be done would be relatively simple to implement. It says that many policies have shown promise, but are either sidelined or quietly dropped from the policy landscape, meaning it becomes more fragmented and more difficult to join up.

The RSE’s Vice President for Education Dr Janet Brown said: “The education and skills system is at the core of Scotland’s ability to achieve not only economic prosperity, but also to address the climate emergency and eliminate family and, by extension, child poverty.

“What this report has found is that the multiple reviews undertaken in recent years have resulted in policy responses and documents that incorporate the necessity for the development of key skills and knowledge in both young people and those within the existing workforce. Scotland has the potential to ensure that there is a holistic education system that allows people to achieve a variety career of paths that will enhance their lives and support the development of Scotland as a whole.

“The challenge is that, whilst the opportunities and needs have been clearly articulated, there is a lack of an overall plan that links the reforms in education and skills with these wider aspects of policy. There are clear mismatches between the challenges identified and the nature, provision, funding, and take up within the existing education and skills system and the currently committed reform plans.

“Today’s challenging financial climate means that all governments will need to ensure the most appropriate use of available resources to achieve the maximum benefit of its resources. It is now that Scotland must link the actions taken in educational and skills reform to support the nation’s aspirations for its people and for its overall future success.”

The report follows a number of activities that the RSE has undertaken in recent years with the aim of improving Scotland’s education system through ethical literacy and other reforms.