A nation with ambition

Improving the life chances of Scotland’s young people is the cornerstone of the government’s work for the coming year.

Education will be the focus of the Programme for Government, the legislative programme for 2017/18.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will present her vision for Scotland’s future when she addresses the Scottish Parliament later today.

The First Minister will highlight other areas of focus including the economy and health.

And she will outline how she will ensure Scotland continues to demonstrate strong leadership on climate change.

Speaking ahead of the publication, the First Minister said:

“Improving the education and life chances of our children and young people remains a defining mission of this Government.

“In the year ahead, this government will take steps to give children the best start in life. From Baby Box to the expansion of free high quality early learning and childcare, and from our work to tackle child poverty to school reforms that give more power to teachers, this government will build on our record of achievements in the year ahead.

“For changes that need legislation, we will bring forward an Education Governance Bill in 2018. Our priority is to ensure that teachers are given the confidence and the space to teach to the highest standards. We’ll give our head teachers new powers and make sure parents, families and communities play a bigger role in school life and in their children’s learning.

“And we will all – government, councils, and agencies - support our schools to do what they do best: transform the life chances of our children.

“When I address Parliament later today, I’ll be presenting the most ambitious plan ever to be brought forward by this government. I am proud that, ten years on, we are once again proving that Scotland is leading the way as a progressive nation.”