Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 12 March 2026 [Draft]
12 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Rural Schools
The Scottish Government is committed to protecting and strengthening rural education. That is reflected in the enhanced statutory protections applying to rural schools that are contained in the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, which include, for example, the presumption against closure.
In addition, we are encouraging probationary teachers to take up placements in rural schools through the preference waiver payment, which offers £6,000 for primary, and £8,000 for secondary, probationary teachers in exchange for flexibility in placement location. Teachers in rural areas can also be eligible for the remote schools allowance and the distant islands allowance.
In the same item of business
2. Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect and strengthen schools in rural areas. (S6O-05636)
The Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise (Natalie Don-Innes)
SNP
The Scottish Government is committed to protecting and strengthening rural education. That is reflected in the enhanced statutory protections applying to rur...
Finlay Carson
Con
Given that Scottish Government-funded population research shows that the loss of even a single essential service, such as a school or a nursery, can trigger ...
Natalie Don-Innes
SNP
The member raises important points, and what he has said is very concerning. The Scottish Government committed to reviewing the guidance on temporary closure...
Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, have rural schools in my area. Over the past decade, the Scottish Government has increased spending on Scotland’s schools by more than £1 billion in ...
Natalie Don-Innes
SNP
The 2026-27 budget, which provides more than £3.5 billion to support education and skills, includes up to £200 million of investment, through the Scottish at...