The gap in the achievements between the largest and the most objective students in Scotland increased last year, according to the new figures.
The Scottish government has said since 2015 that the closure of this precipice – between the level of national qualifications obtained from children from the most affectionate and the less wealthy areas – is its priority.
But the most numbers show that the difference has expanded for students sitting national 4S, national 5s and high.
The Scottish government said it was pleased that the bigger part of the leaving school leaving schools continue to positive destinations such as college and university.
The difference in the achievements between the share of the leaving schools of the largest and the less deprived areas that had one or more in the national 5S or equivalent qualifications was 22.7% last year -compared to 20.2% in 2022/23.
The gap in the share of leaving schools, which achieved one or more gaps in higher or equivalent qualification, was 38.4% in 2023/24, compared to 36.9% in the previous year.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilrut told the BBC Scotland News that statistics show “positive signs of the future” despite the increase in the difference in achievements.
The numbers also show that 8 084 students leave school after S4. This was about one of seven of those who were leaving school and was the largest issue since 2010.
The share of students who left school last year with one or more omits to National 5s, or equivalent and one or more gap at a higher level or equivalent, has also dropped.
Last year, 83.5% of leaving schools had one omission at a national 5 level, while 57.4% had one or more higher level. Both were smaller than in 2022/23.
“Deeper problem”
Prof. Lindsay Patterson, of the University of Edinburgh, said the closure of schools during a pandemic of Covid was one of the reasons for reaching a precipice in Scotland.
“Unlike England and other countries, there has never been a suitable program for the restoration of education,” he told the BBC Scotland News.
“The harm is the biggest for those children who have failed to receive help at home or whose parents cannot afford to pay for additional training.
“But behind that is a deeper problem. The Scottish government has never had a coherent strategy to deal with the educational effects of poverty.”
He added that there was nothing inherent to be wrong when students leave after the S4, as long as they have something worth going.
Just under 56,000 young people left school last year – the largest issue since 2010.
More than 95% have switched to positive destinations such as university, college, employment, some training and voluntary work. It was a little smaller than the previous year, but one of the highest levels since 2010.
More than 67% of leaving schools last year was a higher or additional education three months later.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilrut said the government was committed to strengthening the results for young people [PA Media]
Gilrut told the BBC Scotland News about the end of the gap in achievement, but the increase is “disappointing”.
She said: “It is important to distinguish today’s statistics on leaving the S4 from overall progress achieved to close the difference in achievements in Scotland.
“Obviously, there are positive signs of the future, as we see a record low precipice related to poverty in the literacy of elementary school and in the literacy and number of S3.
“Although it is disappointing that the difference in achievements has expanded slightly at SCQF 4, 5 and 6 levels, it is important to note that we have reduced the difference between the most and the least deprived young people who enter positive destinations With two -thirds from 2009-10, the second largest gap in the record. “
Gilrut added that the number of leaving schools in the S4 remained stable and that the government was exploring reasons why teens had chosen to leave school at the time.
Scottish conservative education spokesman Miles Briggs said: “After years of insistence that education is their priority, SNP is missing while ministers have launched students and teachers at every stage.
“With the John Sweey government, it is our most lied students who face the most options and the highest prospects.”