Rennie: SNP government are leaving behind looked after children

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP has today accused the SNP government of leaving behind care-experienced children, after new figures reveal that less than one in five looked after children achieve a C or above at Higher, while less than half achieve a C or above at National 5.  

New figures released today show that just 15.9% of school leavers who have been looked after in care within the year (2021/22) achieved a C or above for one or more Higher qualifications. This is compared to 61.3% of all school leavers.    

The figures also show that just 46.1% of school leavers who have been looked after in care within the year (2021/22) achieved a C or above for one or more National 5 qualifications. This is compared to 86.4% of all school leavers.

Mr Rennie said:   

“The Scottish Government made a major commitment to care experienced children and young people when they set up the Promise. Sadly, these figures show that the SNP/Green administration is leaving far too many behind.    

“Looked after children must be able to achieve just like everyone else; that requires dedicated government action and support.    

“The government is presiding over a yawning poverty-related attainment gap. It has been slow-footed with the delivery of early learning and childcare programmes, and it has failed to distribute the free laptops it promised to every pupil.  

“Scottish Liberal Democrats would deliver an urgent set of reforms and improvements that will work for the benefit of every child, ensuring they are loved and supported no matter their background.”