Children’s Commissioner says urgent action needed to improve Scottish education system

Date: 30th April 2025
Category: Education, including vocational education, Inclusive education, Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

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The report titled, ‘This is our lives, it matters a lot” by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS) emphasises the necessity of embedding children’s rights within Scotland’s education system. Drawing on the perspectives of children and young people, the report identifies systemic shortcomings and proposes actionable recommendations to ensure education aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).  

The Commissioner highlighted that reforms and misplaced priorities were failing children across the country. The report also highlighted ongoing issues such as inequality, lack of child-centred approaches and under-resourced schools as contributing to the systemic failures. The Commissioner recommends meaningful change with a focus on children’s rights and wellbeing at the heart of education policy and delivery. 

The key findings from the report: 

• Systemic barriers: Current educational structures often impede the realisation of children’s rights, with policies and practices not fully reflecting the principles of the UNCRC. 

• Lack of meaningful participation: Children and young people frequently feel excluded from decision-making processes that affect their education, leading to a sense of disempowerment. 

• Inadequate support for diverse needs: The existing framework for Coordinated Support Plans (CSPs) is insufficient, leaving many children with additional support needs without appropriate assistance. 

 

• Read the full report here.