Rennie responds to Government plan to tackle bad behaviour in schools

Responding to the publication of the Scottish Government’s national action plan on relationships and behaviour in schools 2024-2027 published today, which identifies a decline in children’s behaviour since 2016, a rise in misogynistic views and problematic use of mobile phones and social media,

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP said:

“The Scottish Government know that they have a problem on their hands but I am not convinced that this plan will make a difference in turning the tide.

“Teachers need to be empowered to control their class with the support of management which means the power to enforce boundaries and implement consequences for poor behaviour.

“We are not talking about a return to the days of corporal punishment but the minority who disrupt the class need to know that their actions aren't consequence free.

“There is clearly a place for the kind of restorative discussions between teacher and pupil that Scottish Government guidance encourages but this cannot be the limit of a teacher’s toolkit.

"There's lots of words in this document but I am not convinced it fundamentally changes anything.

"This is a human rights issue and needs a plan that matches that."