Question reference: S6W-09348
- Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 24 June 2022
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Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 July 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the reasons were for its decision that school children in Scotland would not automatically receive the commemorative book for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.
Answer
The Scottish education system is set up in such a way that decision making is devolved to the most appropriate level, enabling local education authorities to make choices that meet their local circumstances and needs. It is for this reason that the Scottish Government does not prescribe the specific resources to be used in schools. Head teachers are empowered to make these decisions for themselves in liaison with their local authority.
As a result, it was Scottish Ministers' view that Scottish schools should be given the choice on whether their pupils should receive this book and have therefore advised UK Ministers that an ‘opt-in’ process for Scottish schools should be implemented. This is consistent with the approach being taken in Wales.