"It’s hugely important we listen to the views of children and young people in all that we do," says Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

Today the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth, visited Boghall Primary School in West Lothian to meet members of the Cost of the School Day Voice network. This was a great opportunity for young people to present their thoughts, and the views of more than five thousand other young people in Scotland about poverty and school costs, to the politician in charge of education.

During Challenge Poverty Week 2023, 5,394 children and young people from the Cost of the School Day Voice network shared their views on how not having enough money can affect their education, with a particular focus on food, school trips, and what makes them feel ready to learn. The Big Question report and filmed summary pulled these responses together, and the Voice network asked the Cabinet Secretary to give her responses to the findings at this meeting. Ms Gilruth said:

“I think it’s hugely important we listen to the views of children and young people in all that we do in education. But also today it’s been really heartwarming to hear the strength and passion from young people about why funding is important.”

Ozal, Lois and Hassan from Holyrood Secondary School in Glasgow talked about how important trips are, and why that kind of experience is really important for young people. Lois told the meeting :

"We think it is really important that the Scottish Government does more to ensure that every young person, regardless of their family background, has the right to go on a school trip that will create lifelong memories."

Focusing on food is crucial

Emily, Skye, Lucy and Struan from Auchenharvie Academy in North Ayrshire talked about how crucial food at school is for children and young people. Emily talked about what Auchenharvie does to help families, Skye and Lucy presented data from the Big Question on food and Struan said that while they were aware of the government’s progress on expanding free school meals to more families, it isn't going fast enough or far enough.

Hollie from Auchenharvie Academy interviewed Jenny Gilruth afterwards about what she had taken away from the meeting. The Cabinet Secretary said:

“Schools have adapted and have changed because society has changed and they are providing that wraparound support now for families which is so important. And we know that if families are better supported they are much more likely to engage with the education of their children and young people and so there’s a lot more that the government can do in that space to help provide that support.”

Voice network members' thoughts about the meeting

The young people who took part in the meeting showed how much they care about equity in their schools and shared lots of brilliant ideas for decision makers to hear, listen to and act on. Afterwards all the Voice network members reflected on what had happened. Annie from Boghall Primary School thought:

“'Cause we’re very little people, but one day maybe we’ll make big decisions too. And you feel a bit special you know, cause you want to make difference.”

Emily from Auchenharvie Academy said 

“From today, we’ve kind of realised that we have a say in wider Scotland. And so we can exercise that voice from now on, we know that what we have to say about this is valuable.”

Allison Hopton, PT Family Learning at Auchenharvie Academy said:

“I felt very proud of them putting their points across so eloquently and passionately and really look forward to hearing what the Cabinet Secretary comes back with, with regards to reducing the cost of the school day for families, universal free school meals and also funding for schools.  I feel very strongly that the voices of our young people should be heard as they are living and breathing school life and all associated with it, including the impact that costs at school have on their families.”

Skye from Auchenharvie Academy thought:

“There’s only so much we can do as pupils so that’s why this meeting was so important. So we will go back to school and we will look at everything we are doing, and take back what we’ve learned from this. But we can only do so much, and we need to pass that onto the government. Like, what are you guys going to be doing about this?”