Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills is to provide an update on the work being done to revitalize Gaelic language education in primary and secondary schools.

Revitalize Gaelic language education

Minister for Children and Young People

The Minister for Children and Young People is to monitor any changes to early learning and childcare (ELC) service delivery by Edinburgh City Council, ensuring they align with statutory duties and shared aims of the Scottish Government and local government.

Monitor ELC service delivery changes

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills is to support the implementation of a test and learn programme to re-establish opportunities for studying abroad that were lost due to the UK's exit from the Erasmus Plus programme.

Support for studying abroad

#### Overview
* The Scottish Government allocated over **£1M** to support life skills programs for disabled individuals and acknowledged the necessity of meaningful career opportunities for them.
* Childcare funding will maintain a **£1B** investment, with an extra **£5M** a year to ensure childcare workers earn at least **£10.50** an hour starting April **2024**.
* Upcoming legislation aims to improve Gaelic language education across Scotland.
* The SNP Government admitted facing budget challenges which impacted the preservation of the Flexible Workforce Development Fund, amidst criticism for the decision.

#### Education and Skills Portfolio
* Mike asked what steps are being taken to provide life skills programs for disabled people.
  * Minister Graham D. shared that, since **2016**, the Scottish Government had provided over **£1M** core funding to **115** organizations through various funds to improve learning and build skills.
  * Over **£1M** has been provided to **113** organizations to support disabled young individuals in transitioning after school.
  * Graham emphasized the need to do more than just equip disabled young people with life skills but also help them maximize their full potential.
    * Mentioned meeting with disabled young people's organizations last month to talk about support into meaningful career opportunities.
  
* Jeremy asked if further action is needed to ensure disabled young people have access to quality support services in schools.
  * Graham acknowledged that more must be done and mentioned that individual institutions tailor life skills acquisition differently.

* Keith asked about conversations with colleges and trade unions regarding pay in the further education sector.
  * Minister for Education and Skills confirmed meetings with campus unions and sector representatives.
    * Highlighted the Scottish Government's directive for management and unions to work towards a fair and affordable settlement despite fiscal challenges.
    * Reaffirmed the Government's commitment to equal respect in further and higher education sectors.

* Liam Kerr inquired about the impact assessments done on skills and apprenticeships due to the **£135M** cut to the college resource budget.
  * The Minister pointed out that budget reductions reflect reductions in the overall Scottish Government budget and encouraged amendments during the budget process.

#### Childcare Funding Provisions
* The Scottish Government will maintain around a **£1B** investment in **2024-25** to fund local authorities for **1140** hours of high-quality, funded early learning and childcare for all eligible children.
* An additional **£5M** a year from April **2024** to enable childcare workers in private and third sector services to be paid at least **£10.50** per hour.
* They are working with the sector to provide further support for the **£10.50** per hour commitment from April **2024**.
* Development work with six early adopter communities to create local systems of funded childcare focusing on families in greatest need.
  
* Beatrice asked about disparities in funding for private, voluntary, and independent nurseries versus council-run facilities.
  * The Minister stressed the importance of the PVI sector, noting a **64.1%** increase in the average rate paid to providers since **2017**.
    * Recognized the need for better rate-setting processes and referenced the recent joint review with local authorities.
    * Committed to working with stakeholders to explore actions to enhance and improve the rate-setting process.

#### Foreign Languages in Education
* Since **2013**, the Scottish Government has provided funds totaling over **£37M** to support the one-plus-two languages approach.
  * A **2021** survey confirmed children started learning languages from primary one and continued through the broad general education.
* Erasmus Plus opportunities affected by Brexit are being tackled by the Government through funding for a test and learn program as the UK Turing scheme lacks coverage.

#### Gaelic Language Education
* Legislation will be introduced later in the year to strengthen Gaelic provision across all of Scotland, including schools.
* Details on legislation and related actions to be provided to interested members.

#### Flexible Workforce Development Fund
* Due to UK Government decisions, Scotland faces its most challenging budget ever, requiring difficult decisions including the inability to preserve the Flexible Workforce Development Fund.
* The Government is disappointed at the withdrawal of the fund and a response to the open letter about the issue was sent out on **26 February**.

#### Flexible Workforce Development Fund Cut
* Participant 2 accused the Minister of making poor decisions because of the SNP Government's cut to the Flexible Workforce Development Fund.
* Despite receiving a **2.2%** real-terms cut in funding from the UK Government, the SNP Government reduced the fund, leading to students and businesses being let down, and the skills gap widening.
* Participant 2 clarified that initially mentioning an increase was a mistake and that it was actually a cut.

#### Response to Fund Cut Allegations
* Participant 1, the Minister, pointed out Rachel Hamilton's missed opportunity to propose an amendment to the budget that could've restored the fund earlier this week.
* Rachel Hamilton and her Conservative colleagues were reprimanded for attacking the draft budget without offering any costed alternatives to its content.
* The Minister suggested that had the Conservatives succeeded in voting the budget down, colleges and trade unions would have had more significant concerns than the loss of the Flexible Workforce Development Fund.