Young people demand more action to reduce the impact of poverty at school

The calls

Young people say the next Scottish government must:

1. “End child poverty. Make sure our families have what they need so we can come to school ready to learn”
2. “Fund every school to fully remove cost pressures from our families and help us overcome poverty-related barriers to learning”
3. “Help us with the basics we need to learn, take part and feel included at school – free school meal expansion, uniform support, devices for all and continued funding for curriculum costs”
4. Create opportunities for all. “Help us all benefit from life changing school trips and from activities in our communities”
5. “Involve us! We can help make our schools and Scotland better”

Young people's message to politicians

In a letter to Scottish party leaders the young people, members of the Cost of the School Day Voice network shared why this work needs to happen:

“There are great things happening in lots of our schools to help with costs and support us. But poverty is still affecting our education in so many ways. Poverty can affect how ready we feel to learn, what equipment we have for classes, basics like uniform and food and access to school trips that spark passion for subjects. Poverty can have a detrimental effect on our learning and can hold us back."

Network members stressed the urgency of taking action on poverty in schools:

“The cost of the school day is such an important matter that we think it needs to be fixed everywhere for everyone as soon as possible. It’s important that you listen to the calls we are making because your decisions affect our lives. This can help us have equal opportunities and equal chances and a better future.”

More needs to happen

Sara Spencer, Cost of the School Day Project Manager at Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland reflects on what's happening in Scotland's schools and local authorities:

“There has been so much progress when it comes to reducing costs and poverty-related barriers at school, but there’s more we can do. Politicians across the political spectrum need to pay attention to the calls young people are making loud and clear because these are the things young people say will help support them to thrive and achieve at school, no matter how much money they have at home. Investment in equity has been making a difference to young people’s experiences at school but while young people are still experiencing poverty and while financial barriers to education remain, we can’t afford to lose focus.”

Throughout "School Shouldn't Cost" young people are clear that further change is needed in schools, and that it needs to be happening in all parts of the country. Speaking ahead of the launch, Sierra (S6) from Levenmouth Academy in Fife describes why this manifesto is important:

“When we talk about child poverty, we’re not talking about numbers on a page. We’re talking about the child who pretends they’re not hungry because there’s no food left at home. We’re talking about the young person who avoids school trips because their family can’t afford it and they’re too embarrassed to say why. We’re talking about parents who go without meals so their children can eat and about the silent worry that sits in so many homes every single day. The cost of the school day should never cost a child their confidence, dignity or dreams.”