Scottish Government Expected to Fund Outdoor Education Bill After Initial Opposition
The Scottish Government is expected to reverse its initial opposition and provide funding for the Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill, which aims to guarantee every school pupil in Scotland a week of outdoor learning. Children's Minister Natalie Don-Innes is set to make a statement in Holyrood to confirm the government's willingness to allow the bill to progress to stage two after previously citing affordability concerns.
The Journey of the Outdoor Education Bill
The bill, proposed by Conservative MSP Liz Smith, passed its first stage with overwhelming support from the Scottish Parliament in March. However, its future was uncertain after ministers initially failed to provide a crucial financial resolution, a step required for the legislation to proceed. This sparked outrage from opposition parties, who accused the government of "sabotaging" the legislation. Ms. Smith urged the Scottish Government to “think again” and “abide by the will of parliament.”
The bill aims to ensure that all pupils aged 12 to 16 in state and grant-aided schools experience at least four nights and five days of residential outdoor education during their school career. Activities could include hill walking, climbing, kayaking, and learning about nature and curricular subjects such as biology and geography. Currently, participation in residential outdoor education is inconsistent across schools, with many not offering it, particularly in deprived areas where costs can be a barrier. Liz Smith has previously accused the SNP of hypocrisy after they included a commitment to outdoor education in their 2021 manifesto.
Financial Concerns and Potential Solutions
Ministers’ initial reluctance stemmed from concern over the long-term financial commitment of the bill. Ms. Don-Innes referred to the scheme as "uncosted" with "recurring annual costs", suggesting a preference for a pilot program. However, the bill's financial memorandum estimates the policy would cost around £20 million to £32 million a year based on between 55,000 and 65,000 pupils doing the courses each year. To address financial concerns, Ms. Smith suggested a public trust model to assist with funding, a legal arrangement managing assets for the benefit of young people's outdoor education.
Reactions and Future Steps
Liz Smith expressed delight at the Scottish Government's change of heart, stating it’s "a very important day for young people across Scotland, for the outdoor education sector and for MSPs across the political spectrum." She believes that the experience of outdoor education could be "life-changing" for children. At stage two, any MSP can propose changes to the bill, which will then be debated and decided upon by a committee. Compromises are expected to be made to ensure the bill becomes law.
However, concerns remain among some stakeholders. The Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS) expressed concerns about the workability of the bill, while the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) raised concerns over the practicalities of the policy. A Scottish Government spokesman affirmed the commitment to supporting outdoor learning, recognizing the role of residential outdoor education, while acknowledging the outstanding issues regarding affordability, impact on the education workforce and equitable provision across Scotland.
The Impact of the Bill
The potential impact of the bill is significant. Research for the University of Edinburgh has revealed a "postcode lottery" in the provision of residential outdoor education, with only around a third of secondary schools and a quarter of primary schools currently offering such experiences. If passed, the bill would ensure equitable access to valuable outdoor learning opportunities for all Scottish school pupils. The estimated cost of the policy is between £25m and £40m a year.
